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MEMORIALS 

OF  THE 

Life,  Public  Services  and  Character 

OF 

William  T.  Sutherlin, 

As  Furnished  by  his  Friends  • 
and  Published  by  his  Family. 


HAEC  OLIM  MEMINTSSE  JUVABIT. 


DAIMCE  BROS.  &  CO. 
PRINTERS  AND  BINDERS 
1894 


:   -     ^  PREFACE. 

That  a  record  of  a  useful  life  should  be  perpetuated,  is 
manifest  from  many  considerations,  which  need  no  specifi- 
cation here.  When,  however,  that  life  was  characterized  by 
splendid  mental  endowments  and  achievements  ;  when  it  has 
touched  the  public  in  many  relations,  calculated  to  advance 
its  interests,  the  duty  of  preserving  its  history  becomes  im- 
perative. 

Nor  should  we  be  satisfied  with  anything  short  of  an  au- 
thentic and  durable  form  for  the  preservation  of  its  achiev- 
ments,  while  they  are  fresh  in  the  public  mind,  and  while 
documentary  evidence  is  easily  accessible  ?  It  is  with  im- 
pressions akin  to  these  that  the  following  pages  have  been 
written  ;  nor  can  it  be  denied  that  the  career  of  the  late 
William  T.  Sutherlin  touched  not  only  his  native  city  and 
county,  but  the  entire  State,  and  left  the  imprint  of  his  abil- 
ity and  genius  in  many  and  varied  forms,  honorable  to  Vir- 
ginia as  well  as  to  himself. 

Of  course  in  a  compilation  like  the  present,  no  attempt 
will  be  made  to  go  into  the  petty  details  and  circumstances 
which  made  up  the  daily  existence  of  the  subject  of  these 
memoirs.  / 

We  know  a  man  truly  when  we  know  him  at  his  greatest 
and  best.  We  realize  his  significance  for  ourselves  and  for 
the  world,  when  we  see  him  in  the  noblest  activity  of  his 
career,  on  the  loftiest  summit  and  fullest  glory  of  his  life. 


4134(16 


Fortunately  for  a  work  of  this  sort,  the  material  is  abund- 
ant, so  much  so  that  what  to  reject  and  not  what  to  use,  is 
the  more  perplexing  problem  of  the  two. 

This  volume,  thus  prepared  for  his  family  and  his  personal 
friends,  will,  we  trust,  preserve  for  them  the  mental  portrait- 
ure of  their  friend  as  they  admired  and  loved  him  in  life  ; 
as  the  promoter  of  the  public  weal ;  the  counsellor  in  times 
of  trouble  and  perplexity ;  the  fond  husband  and  loving 
parent,  the  good  citizen  and  the  liberal  Christian  gentleman. 


CHAPTEK  I. 


William  Thomas  Sutheelin,  eldest  son  of  George  S.  and 
Mary  Norman  Sutlierlin,  was  born  on  liis  father's  farm  near 
Danville,  April  7th,  1822.  In  giving  the  history  of  any  one, 
who  by  virtue  of  unusual  intellect  has  risen  into  prominence, 
there  is  always  a  desire  to  know  something  of  his  parent- 
age, beyond  the  mere  mention  of  his  father's  and  mother's 
names.  Happily  in  the  present  instance  we  are  warranted 
in  saying  that  Geo.  S.  Sutlierlin  was  an  active,  upright  man, 
enjoying  the  esteem  of  his  neighbors,  and  the  fullest  confi- 
dence of  his  friends.  It  is  said  a  child  partakes  more  of  the 
characteristics  of  its  mother  than  of  its  father.  But  whether 
this  be  true  or  not  in  every  instance,  it  seems  to  have  been 
so  in  the  present  case,  for  Mary  Norman  Sutlierlin  was  a 
woman  of  superior  intellect.  She  took  an  interest  in  public 
affairs,  and  conversed  upon  them  with  all  the  incisiveness 
which  was  so  characteristic  of  her  distinguished  son. 

George  Sutlierlin's  means  were  limited,  and  William  be- 
ing the  eldest  son,  liis  father  needed  his  assistance  on  the 
farm,  which  he  cheerfully  rendered.  It  was  a  source  of 
much  regret  to  his  father  that  he  could  not  give  his  promis- 
ing son  all  the  educational  advantages  afforded  by  collegi- 
ate training.  He,  however,  did  the  best  he  could.  He  was 
first  sent  to  a  school  near  home,  afterwards  to  a  male  school 
in  Danville,  and  finally,  he  attended  for  a  short  time  the 

[5] 


4134(16 


noted  Private  School  of  Joseph  Godfrey,  of  Franklin  county. 

Of  this  gentleman,  Major  Sutherlin  often  spoke  in  terms 
of  endearment,  and  to  the  very  last,  retained  for  him  an  ar- 
dent affection,  and  only  a  few  years  ago,  expressed  a  desire 
in  a  public  letter,  that  a  monument  should  be  erected  to  his 
memory.  .  Knowing  his  affection  for  his  old  friend,  and 
teachei',  we  cannot  refrain  from  publishing  a  portion  of  a 
letter  detailing  his  eccentricities  and  virtues,  written  by 
Thomas  T.  Tunstall,  of  Tensaw,  Alabama.  The  letter  is  ad- 
dressed to  the  Editor  of  the  Pittsylvania  Trihmie,  and  reads 
as  follows  : 

Marion,  Perry  Co.,  July  10,  1879. 

Mr.  Editor  : — Through  the  kindness  of  one  of  our  old  Pitt- 
sylvania friends,  Mr.  Chas.  M  Lovelace,  who  resides  here, 
my  attention  has  been  called  to  several  paragraphs  and  ar- 
ticles in  the  Tribune  in  reference  to  the  last  resting  place  of 
Joseph  P.  Godfrey,  whose  virtues  and  memory  we  now  pro- 
pose to  perpetuate. 

Any  movement  to  promote  so  laudable  a  project  will  find 
an  echo  in  many  a  generous  heart,  from  the  Potomac  to  the 
Eio  Grande. 

The  Peniis,  the  Whittles,  the  Hairstons,  the  Dandridges, 
the  Taliaferros,  yea  ^11  of  his  pupils  who  survive  him  will 
cheerfully  respond  to  do  honor  to  his  memory  and  unite  in 
any  effort  to  rescue  from  abscarity  and  oblivion  the  hallowed 
spot  where  Joseph  P.  Godfrey  reposes. 

As  for  my  ^lart  whatever  I  can  contribute  will  be  done  as 
a  grateful  a;id  affectionate  task,  "a  labor  of  love."  Nay,  I 
would  gladly  make  a  pilgrimage  to  old  Virginia  to  pay  a 
tribute  to  his  worth  and  lay  a  wreath  on  his  tomb,  for  I 
knew  him  better  than  them  all.  Our  associations  were  of 
the  tenderest  nature.  He  was  my  Fidus  Achates — mj  "'boon 
compcmion'  as  well  as  preceptor,  and  I  was  his  room-mate 
and  bed-fellow  for  nearly  three  years  at  old  uncle  Billy  Mills' 


in  Henry,  and  I  parted  with  him  in  June,  1839,  to  go  to 
Chapel  Hill,  whither  I  was  sent  by  cousin  Whit  Tunstall, 
who  had  the  direction  of  my  education  and  whose  name  is 
so  dear  to  us  all. 

The  letters  of  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  of  Danville,  and  E.  H. 
Pritchett,  of  Haynesville,  Ala.,  to  wdiich  I  have  referred, 
carry  me  back  as  you  will  see  over  a  chasm  of  forty  years, 
and  by  some  strange  magnetism  I  find  myself  again  in  the 
presence  and  fellowship  of  "old  Joe." 

How  well  do  I  recall  all  his  tastes  and  peculiarities — his 
characteristic  devotion  to  his  boys,  his  great  tenderness  of 
heart  and  his  love  of  the  classics.  Indeed  he  was  refined 
and  classic  in  all  things. 

Under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Godfrey,  Maj.  Sutherlin  com- 
pleted the  brief  record  of  his  school  history. 

To  call  it  his  educational  history  would  be  a  misnomer 
for  William  T.  Sutherlin  was  a  close  student  to  the  last 
year  of  his  life.  What  he  may  have  lacked  in  mere  book 
learning  he  more  than  supplemented  by  observation  and  re- 
flection. This,  however,  more  properly  belongs  to  an  analy- 
sis of  his  character,  which  will  be  given  later  on,  and  we  re- 
turn to  the  narrative  of  his  life. 

Until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  he  remained  upon  his 
father's  farm  doing  every  class  of  farm  work  and  thus  laid 
the  foundation  for  the  vast  stores  of  practical  knowledge 
of  agriculture  for  which  he  was  so  pre-eminent  in  after  years. 
Upon  reaching  his  majority  he  became  a  leaf  tobacco  dealer 
in  Danville,  and  such  was  his  capacity  and  energy  that  long- 
before  the  civil  war  he  had  amassed  a  handsome  fortune, 
and  become  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  his  town 
and  section. 

On  the  18th  October,  1849,  in  Greensboro,      C,  Major 

['J 


SuTHEKLiN  was  united  in  marriage  with  Jane  E.  Patrick,  the 
daughter  of  Wm.  and  Martha  W.  Patrick.  Two  children 
were  born  to  them,  Janie  Lindsey  and  Martha  Ella.  The 
last  named  died  in  infancy.  The  former  grew  up  to  be  a 
beautiful  and  accomplished  woman,  whose  lovely  Christian 
character  endeared  her  to  every  one  who  knew  her.  She 
was  united  in  marriage  Nov.  22nd,  1871,  with  Col.  Francis 
L.  Smith,  of  Alexandria,  Ya.,  and  died  in  this  city  August 
24th,  1876.  Their  only  living  child.  Miss  Jariie  Sutherlin 
Smith,  has  ever  made  her  home  with  her  grand-parents  in 
this  city. 

Such  is  a  mere  outline  of  the  childhood,  youth  and  early 
manhood  of  one  who  for  forty  years  afterwards  was  destined 
to  fill  so  large  a  place  in  business,  both  private  and  public, 
and  whose  power  for  good  was  made  manifest,  in  so  many 
relations  touching  his  seciion  and  State. 

\ 

CHAPTER  11. 

The  public  life  of  Major  Sutherlin  properly  begins  with 
his  election  as  Mayor  of  the  town  of  Danville,  in  the  year 
1855,  although  he  had  held  the  office  of  Alderman  and  had 
been  President  of  the  Board  as  early  as  the  year  1851.  That 
his  administration  was  acceptable  to  the  people  of  Danville  is 
proven  by  the  fact  that  he  held  the  office  for  six  years,  and 
only  resigned  it  to  serve  his  people  and  his  State  in  a  posi- 
tion requiring  the  greatest  sagacitj^  and  patriotism.  We  re- 
fer to  his  election  as  a  member  of  the  historic  \  irginia  Con- 

[8] 


vention  of  18(11.  While  tlie  proceedings  of  that  body  have 
passed  into  history  we  may  confidently  state  that  never  be- 
fore with  perhaps  the  solitary  exception  of  the  Convention 
of  1829,  was  so  much  ability  represented  as  on  that  occasion. 
From  beyond  the  Alleghanies  came  Carlisle  Geo.  W.  Sum- 
mers and  T.  Willey.  The  Yalley  sent  Jno.  B.  Baldwin 
and  A.  H.  H.  Stuart.  From  Tidewater,  Eobt.  L.  Montague. 
From  Albemarle  William  C.  Eives.  From  Culpeper,  Jas. 
B.  Barbour.  In  fact  every  section  of  the  State  seemed  to 
vie  with  each  other  in  sending  its  brainiest  sons  to  this 
mighty  asseml)ly  of  intellectual  giants.  That  Willlui  T. 
Sftheelix,  along  with  William  M.  Tredway  should  have 
been  chosen  to  represent  the  town  of  Danville  and  Pittsyl- 
vania county  in  such  an  assembly  is  all  the  proof  that  is  nec- 
essary that  both  were  recognized  as  men  of  the  very  highest 
ability. 

It  is  proper  at  this  point  to  state  that  previous  to  the  late 
war  Ma.t.  Si'THEELIX  was  an  inlluential  member  as  well  as  a 
prominet  leader  in  that  grand  organization,  the  Old  Line 
Whig  party,  whose  ranks  furnished  many  of  the  greatest  and 
purest  men  the  Fuion  has  yetluiown.  In  Tirginia  alone,  to 
say  nothing  of  Clay  and  Webster  from  Kentucky  and  from 
Massachusetts,  there  was  a  constellation  of  talent  of  the 
very  first  magnitude.  It  is  a  matter  of  history  that  the 
Whig  party  as  an  organization  was  opposed  to  secession, 
and  only  countenanced  it  at  last  as  a  dernier  resort.  In  the 
calm  light  of  dispassionate  history  w]]o  will  deny  they  were 
right?    Xor  can  it  be  gainsaid,  that  in  the  great  debates 

[9] 


which  necessarily  ensued  on  this  question  in  the  State  Con- 
vention that  they  had  the  best  of  the  argument. 

Hon.  William  M.  Tredway,  Majok  Sutherlin's  colleague 
in  the  State  Convention,  was  a  Douglas  Democrat,  and  held 
the  same  opinion  in  regard  to  the  dissolution  of  the  Union. 
They  both  contended  in  their  speeches  that  the  mere  elec- 
tion and  inauguration  of  Mr.  Lincoln  without  any  overt  act, 
and  with  the  express  declaration  on  his  part,  that  he  did 
not  intend  to  interfere  with  the  rights  of  the  States,  did  not 
justify  Virginia  in  leaving  the  Union,  nor  do  we  think  it 
will  be  disputed,  that  had  the  President  made  no  attempt 
to  coerce  the  States  which  had  already  seceded,  Virginia 
would  have  ever  left  the  Union.  But  when  Mr.  Lincoln 
issued  his  celebrated  proclamation,  calling  upon  Virginia  to 
furnish  seventy-live  thousand  troops  to  assist  in  forcing  her 
sister  Southern  States  back  into  the  Union,  there  was  no 
longer  any  hope  or  expectation,  that  the  Convention  would 
be  prevented  from  passing  the  ordinance  of  secession.  Nor 
was  it  otherwise.  ■  , 

The  patriots  in  that  Convention  ,  Democratic  as  well  as 
Whig,  who  had  made  so  many  concessions  in  order  to  save 
the  Union,  who  had  endorsed  the  Peace  Conference  held 
in  Washington  the  same  year,  were  if  anything  more  out- 
raged than  the  original  secessionists  themselves.  No  one 
who  ever  knew  how  ardently  Major  Sutherlin  loved  his 
native  State,  would  doubt  for  a  moment  how  he  would  act 
in  such  a  crisis  in  her  histor}^  He  at  once  followed  her  for 
weal  or  for  woe,  and  voted  for,  and  signed  the  Ordinance  of 
Secession,  a  copy  of  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  his 

[10] 


family,  signed  in  a  clear  bold  hand  by  himself  as  well  as  his 
colleague. 

No  portion  of  Majoe  Sutheelix's  varied  career  is  more 
honorable  to  himself  than  his  membership  of  this  Conven- 
tion. Brought  into  close  contact,  as  well  as  collision,  with 
the  ablest  minds  of  Ante-Bellum  Virginia,  he  not  only  held 
his  own,  but  left  that  body,  as  subsequent  events  will  show, 
with  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  Virginia's  ablest  and 
most  patriotic  sons. 


CHAPTER  III. 

As  might  ba  anticipated,  the  talents  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  were  better  adapted  to  civil  and  political  life  than 
war.  But  that  he  would  throw  himself,  heart  and  soul,  into 
the  cause  of  his  State,  no  one  could  doubt.  And  so  the  se- 
quel proved.  He  at  once  entered  the  Confederate  States 
army,  but  impaired  health  prevented  his  taking  an  active 
part  in  the  field,  and  he  was  appointed  Major  and  Quarter- 
Master,  being  stationed  at  the  post  of  Danville,  where  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  displayed  his  usual 
activity  and  energy  in  gathering  and  forwarding  supplies 
to  the  army,  and  was  frequently  highly  commended  for  his 
work,  by  Gen.  Lee,  and  others  of  his  superior  officers.  Nor 
must  it  be  omitted  that  while  he  was  so  prompt  and  ener- 
getic in  trying  to  prevent  the  pangs  of  hunger  and  cold  from 
dispiriting  the  Confederate  soldier  in  the  field,  he  was  no 

[iij 


less  concerned  as  to  his  spiritual  condition  when  wounded 
and  sick  in  the  hospital,  for  out  of  his  own  purse,  he  em- 
ployed Rev.  J.  H.  Forbes,  of  Danville,  for  nearly  three  years, 
at  an  expense  of  fifty  dollars  per  month,  to  care  for  all  such 
in  the  hospitals  of  his  own  town.  And  thus  was  he  employ- 
ed in  furnishing  not  only  the  sinews  of  war  (for  such  are 
food  and  clothing  as  well  as  money)  but  in  affording  conso- 
lation to  the  sick  and  dying,  until  the  end  came.  But  be- 
fore it  came,  the  home  of  Major  Sutherlin  on  Main  street, 
Danville,  Ya.,  was  destined  to  become  historic,  and  to  be 
associated  in  the  most  pathetic  manner  with  the  closing 
hours  of  the  "Lost  Cause."  How  this  came  to  be  so,  is  a  mat- 
ter of  so  much  interest  that  we  cannot  in  justice  to  Major 
Sutherlin' s  memory  be  content  with  anything  less  than  a 
full  statement  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case.  As  every  student 
of  history  knows,  when  Richmond  fell,  the  seat  of  the  Con- 
federate government  was  speedily  transferred  to  Danville. 

During  its  continuance  in  this  city,  Mr.  Davis  made  his 
headquarters  at  the  home  of  Major  Sutherlin,  but  why  he 
did  so  and  what  transpired  while  he  was  there  can  best  be 
told  in  Major  Sutherlin's  own  words,  written  by  special 
request  of  the  Richmond  Dispatch,  a  few  months  before  his 
death.    They  are  as  follows  : 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  Dispatch  : — In  response  to  your 
telegram  of  yesterday  requesting  me  to  furnish  you  a  per- 
sonal reminiscence  of  Jefferson  Davis,  I  send  you  the  fol- 
lowing : 

It  was  generally  understood  here  on  the  2nd  of  April, 
1865,  that  Richmond  was  to  be  evacuated  by  the  Confeder- 
ate government  at  once,  and  that  the  next  headquarters  would 

[12] 


be  establislied  at  Danville.  Early  in  the  day  of  the  3rd,  large 
numbers  of  people  in  Danville  and  the  surrounding  country 
commenced  assembling  at  the  Richmond  and  Danville  de- 
pot to  witness  the  arrival  of  the  President,  his  Cabinet,  and 
in  fact  the  Government.  Soon  after  noon  the  train  arrived 
and  a  great  throng  of  people  pressed  ftn-ward  to  see  the  Pre- 
sident and  his  associates  as  they  left  the  train.  I  met  Mr. 
Davis  with  some  friends  and  brought  him  directly  to  my 
house,  with  Mr.  Geo.  W.  Trenholm,  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, and  his  wife,  and  Mr.  Mallory,  Secretary  of  the  Nav}^, 
and  some  others,  and  they  remained  with  me  some  eight  or 
nine  days.  President  Davis  seemed  a  little  careworn,  but 
in  other  respects  looked  as  well  as  usual.  A  few  days  after 
his  arrival  he  selected  a  building  and  had  offices  fitted  up 
for  himself  and  other  departments  of  the  government,  but 
at  the  solicitation  of  my  vvife  and  myself  he  decided  to  re- 
main with  us  during  his  stay  in  Danville,  M^iich  he  did. 

I  was  at  that  time  in  feeble  health,  which  necessitated 
the  spending  of  most  of  my  time  in  the  house.  This  gave 
me  a  fine  opportunity  of  being  with  Mr.  Davis  most  of  the 
time  while  here,  and  finding  him  a  most  agreeable  and  en- 
tertaining visitor,  conversed  with  him  upon  quite  a  variety 
of  subjects.  He  recounted  many  of  the  incidents  connected 
with  his  departure  from  Richmond — seemed  to  have  formed 
a  great  attachment  for  the  people  of  that  city,  and  was 
greatly  distressed  at  having  to  leave  them  exposed  to  the 
enemy.  For  the  first  day  or  too  he  could  talk  of  little  else 
than  the  people  of  that  city  and  their  uniformly  kind  con- 
sideration of  himself  and  family  while  tliere.  He  had 
strong  hopes  that  General  Lee  would  be  able  to  reach  Dan- 
ville with  his  army  and  often  spoke  of  the  great  confidence 
he  had  in  his  ability  as  a  commander  and  his  great  admira- 
tion and  love  for  him  as  a  man.  Being  with  Mr.  Davis 
much  of  the  time,  and  becoming  better  acquainted  with 
him,  1  ventured  to  ask  him  a  great  many  questions,  which 
he  most  cheerfully  answered,  and  being  anxious  to  know 
his  views  in  reference  to  all  the  matters  relating  to  the 

[18] 


causes  and  progress  of  the  war,  etc.,  I  inquired  if  lie  did  not 
tliiuk  the  war  could  have  been  averted.  He  said  that  was  a 
question  which  in  time  past  had  given  him  a  great  deal  of 
concern.  I  told  him  that  as  he  was  a  member  of  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States  and  had  been  for  a  long  time  connected 
with  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  I  would  be  glad 
if  he  would  give  me  his  views  in  reference  to  the  question  I 
had  propounded  to  him. 

Mr  Davis  said  the  differences  that  were  existing  between 
the  North  and  the  South  were  of  long  standing,  and  he  had 
hoped  the  Missouri  compromise  would  have  given  perma- 
nent satisfaction  to  the  country,  but  the  leading  Abolition- 
ists of  the  North  continued  to  agitate  the  question,  and  they 
were  met  in  debate  and  otherwise  by  the  extreme  represent- 
atives of  the  South,  and  in  this  way  these  differences  were 
continually  before  the  people  until  Mr.  Douglas  finally  sub- 
mitted his  proposition  of  "squatter  sovereignty,"  which  was 
to  give  to  the  people  of  each  Territory  the  right  to  decide 
for  themselves  whether  slavery  should  be  established  or  not 
when  the  Territory  was  admitted  as  a  State.  He  said  for  a 
time  this  seemed  to  quiet  the  country,  but  it  served  also  as 
a  means  of  continued  agitation  of  the  question  of  slavery, 
and  the  extreme  men  of  the  North,  in  and  out  of  Congress, 
seemed  determined  to  continue  the  agitation  of  the  question, 
and  the  conservative  men  of  both  sections  were  unable  to 
pacify  or  control  the  extremists. 

He  said  he  had  great  attachment  for  the  Union,  and  dis- 
liked very  much  the  idea  of  its  dissolution,  and  did  all  in  his 
power  to  avert  it.  He  even  remained  in  his  seat  after  many 
of  the  Southern  Senators  bad  left  and  returned  to  their 
homes,  until  his  own  State  (Mississippi)  had  passed  the  or- 
dinance of  secession.  When  this  was  done  lie  gave  up  all 
hope,  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
and  returned  to  his  home  and  united  his  fortune  with  that 
of  the  Southern  people.  Having  done  this,  his  greatest  de- 
sire and  ambition  was  to  see  the  Southern  people  united 
and  happy  under  a  government  of  their  own  choice. 

This  conversation  induced  me  to  ask  him  the  question, 

[14] 


what  he  thought  of  secession,  and  if  the  State  had  the  rigbt 
to  secede,  and  if  there  was  any  doubt  in  his  mind  as  to  the 
right  of  secession,  and  if  a  doubt  upon  this  question  had 
anything  to  do  with  his  adopting  that  mode  of  redress  ear- 
lier. He  said  he  had  always  believed  in  the  rights  of  the 
States  and  their  absolute  right  to  withdraw  from  the  govern- 
ment whenever  the  Government  of  the  United  States  sought 
to  injure  rather  than  protect  them.  I  asked  him  to  tell  me 
in  what  he  considered  that  right  existed.  He  said,  "when 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  was  formed  the  rights 
of  the  States  that  were  not  surrendered  at  that  time  were 
leserved,  and  the  States  never  surrendered  the  rights  of  self- 
preservation,  and  when  in  the  judgment  of  the  people  it  be- 
came necessary  secession  was  their  right.  I  never  had  any 
doubt  upon  this  question,  and  it  had  no  influence  upon  me 
whatever  in  making  me  slow  in  leaving  the  Union,  but  I  was 
slow  to  leave  the  Union  because  I  was  attached  to  it — be- 
cause I  believed  that  if  we  could  live  in  peace  the  people  of 
the  country  would  be  better  off  by  the  Union  as  it  was  than 
by  a  division." 

"Well,  then,  Mr.  President,"  I  remarked  further,  "if  this 
be  your  opiuiou  you  do  not,  of  course,  think  yourself  and 
other  citizens  of  the  South  who  engaged  in  the  war  are 
rebels." 

"I  know  that  we  are  not  rebels,"  Mr.  Davis  replied.  "I 
know  that  not  only  myself,  but  that  every  southern  man  who 
is  engaged  in  this  war  had  a  right  to  do  so  in  defence  of  the 
rights  of  the  State  and  the  people." 

"Mr.  President,  I  would  like  to  know  ycmv  opinion  of  the 
war.  Do  you  think  anything  could  have  been  done  that  was 
not  done  that  could  have  secured  success?" 

"I  think  under  all  the  circumstances  we  have  done  the 
best  we  could.  The  enemy  had  access  to  the  world  from 
which  to  supply  men,  arms,  and  supplies  ;  while  we  were 
shut  in  and  were  only  overcome  by  overwhelming  numbers. 
I  often  discuss  the  matter  in  my  own  mind  as  to  the  propri- 
ety of  taking  boys  and  young  men  under  serviceable  age, 
whose  enthusiasm  might  have  been  of  service  in  the  armv, 

[15J 


but,  as  I  have  said  before,  I  could  not  take  these  young  men 
into  the  army  ;  that  it  was  too  much  like  grinding  seed-corn, 
and  in  any  event  they  were  the  chief  hope  of  the  country  in 
the  future." 

"Mr.  President,  I  have  heard  it  said  that  there  were  offers 
of  compromise  made,  and  that  Mr.  Lincoln  offered  to  pay 
1300  per  head  to  slave  owners  for  their  slaves  if  they  would 
lay  down  their  arms  and  terminate  the  war.  Will  you  please 
tell  me  something  about  this?" 

"No  such  offer  was  ever  made  to  me,  and  I  had  no  author- 
ity under  the  Constitution,  or  by  any  act  of  Congress,  or  by 
the  people  to  negotiate  any  terms  of  peace  except  upon  the 
recognition  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  could  not,  nor 
never  would,  have  entertained,  myself,  any  proposition  of 
peace  on  any  other  basis." 

Mr.  Davis  gave  me  a  very  interesting  narrative  of  the  Mex- 
ican war ;  of  the  various  conflict  of  arms  in  which  he  was 
engaged,  and  especially  that  of  Buena  Yista.  He  seemed 
quite  familiar  with  the  climate,  soil,  and  products  of  that 
country,  and  his  description  of  them  in  detail  was  very  in- 
teresting. I  inquired  of  him  about  his  farming  in  Missis- 
sippi, and  he  seemed  very  much  interested  in  cotton-plant- 
ing and  other  crops.  His  description  of  his  farm  products, 
stock,  horses,  cattle,  hogs,  and  even  his  fowls  was  to  me  ex- 
ceedingly interesting.  He  expressed  great  fondness  for  fine 
horses,  and  seemed  perfectly  familiar  with  all  the  breeds  of 
horses  as  well  as  all  other  stock.  In  speaking  of  his  fowls 
he  expressed  great  preference  for  the  game  chicken,  and  said 
that  the  time  spent  upon  his  farm  were  the  happiest  days  of 
his  life. 

President  Davis  was  not  only  an  exceedingly  pleasant  and 
agreeable  visitor,  but  one  of  the  best  conversationalists  that 
I  ever  met.  He  was  well  informed  upon  all  subjects  and 
possessed  a  clear,  forcible,  and  attractive  mode  of  expressing 
himself.  During  the  period  of  some  eight  or  nine  days  that 
Mr.  Davis  was  at  my  house  he  never  at  any  time  within  my 
hearing  expressed  any  concern  for  himself,  but  his  whole 
heart  and  soul  seemed  to  be  absorbed  in  his  feeling  for  the 

[16] 


people  of  the  South,  and  I  believe  he  would  have  cheerfully 
laid  down  his  life  at  any  time  if  it  would  have  saved  them 
from  defeat. 

I  might  have  written  much  more,  but  fear  you  may  not 
have  space  for  a  longer  contribution. 

Respectfully  yours, 
Danville,  Va.,  May  30,  1893.  W.  T.  Sutherltn. 

When  the  war  closed  the  South  presented  a  scene  of  des- 
olation, indeed,  not  only  had  she  been  drained  of  rivers  of 
blood  and  millions  of  money,  but  even  her  property  values 
that  remained  had  been  so  depreciated  as  to  be  hardly  sala- 
ble at  twenty-five  cents  in  the  dollar.  Miles  of  her  railways 
had  been  torn  up,  their  bridges  burnt,  while  grass  was  grow- 
ing in  the  road-beds,  of  what  remained.  The  negroes,  newly 
emancipated,  forsook  the  farms  and  flocked  to  the  cities. 
The  situation  of  the  South  was  appalling  as  to  the  present, 
while  the  future  seemed  to  contain  no  promise  of  better 
times.  Many  Southern  people  despaired  of  the  Republic, 
and  thought  of  migrating  to  other  lands.  Agents  wei  e  sent 
to  Mexico  and  South  America  to  look  at  the  country  and 
select  localities  suitable  for  Southern  colonies.  The  scheme 
was  favored  by  some  of  the  most  prominent  of  Virginia's 
sons,  including  Prof  M.  F.  Maury,  Gen.  J.  A.  Early,  and 
others.  Not  so,  however,  with  Major  Sutherlin.  By  his 
voice,  by  his  pen  he  opposed  the  scheme.  Never  did  his 
masterful  common-sense  display  its  power  more  than  at  this 
juncture.  He  contended  that  Yirgiuia,  even  with  all  the 
horrors  of  Reconstruction  saddled  upon  her,  was  the  best 
place  upon  earth  for  Virginians.  '*Work"  work"  he  said 
was  the  one  thing  needful.    He  took  his  own  prescription. 

[1^1 


As  soon  as  he  had  regained  his  health,  which  had  been 
greatly  impaired,  he  began  farming,  not  only  on  a  large  scale, 
but  using  all  the  improved  methods  for  so  doing.  His 
energy  was  contagious.  His  people  felt  its  inspiriDg  influ- 
ence, and  in  less  than  five  years  after  the  war,  his  whole 
section  seemed  to  have  risen  Phoenix-like,  from  the  very 
ashes  of  despair.  That  such  a  man  as  this  would  be  per- 
mitted to  pursue  the  even  tenor  of  his  own  way,  without 
interruption  was  impossible.  That  he,  who  had  always 
shown  so  much  public  spirit  would  decline  to  serve  his  peo- 
ple when  called  upon,  was  also  out  of  the  question.  As  an 
evidence  of  his  willingness  at  all  times  to  do  all  that  lay 
in  his  power  to  advance  the  interests  of  Danville,  and  the 
surrounding  country,  we  need  only  to  refer  to  the  fact  that 
he  was  the  originator  and  promoter  of  the  Border  Agricul- 
tural Society,  and  was  its  President  for  two  years.  The 
address  delivered  by  him  on  that  occasion  will  be  seen  aloug 
with  other  addresses  on  various  subjects  in  the  appendix 
to  this  volume.  But  while  he  was  devoting  his  talents  to 
the  service  of  his  State  along  industrial  lines,  and  trying  to 
build  up  her  material  interests,  at  the  same  time  in  concert 
with  eight  others,  he  rendered  Virginia  a  service  which 
should  never  be  forgotten.  The  work  done  by  this  famous 
committee  has  passed  into  history  already  as  OL-e  of  the 
great  factors  in  determining  the  future  political  condition  of 
the  State.  But  as  Major  Sutherlin's  good  sense,  and 
sagacity  were  so  conspicuously  displayed  in  its  formation, 
line  of  procedure  and  complete  success,  a  re-statement  of 
the  causes  which  induced  him  to  do  so  will  not  be  amiss.  At 

:  [18] 


the  time  of  its  formation,  Virginia  was  threatened  with 
absohite  ruin.  The  Underwood  Constitution  framed  and 
passed  by  the  infamous  Underwood  Convention,  so  full  of 
atrocious  features,  and  test  oaths,  as  to  virtually  turn  the 
wdiole  State  over  to  scalawags,  carpet-baggers,  and  negroes, 
had  already  passed  the  House  of  Representatives  and  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  Senate  Judiciary  Committee.  The  situ- 
ation was  alarming. 

A  public  meeting  was  held  in  Richmond  composed  of 
representative  men  from  different  parts  of  the  State.  At 
this  meeting  Major  Sutherlin  and  eight  others  were  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  of  Nine  to  go  to  Washington  to  prevent 
the  passage  of  the  bill,  through  the  Senate. 

By  sheer  force  of  ability,  and  the  justice  of  their  cause, 
they  prevailed,  and  Virginia  was  saved.  For  such  services  as 
were  rendered  by  the  nine  men  composing  this  committee, 
the  Roman  Republic  would  have  perpetuated  their  names 
forever.  But  Major  Sutherlin  was  not  given  to  complain- 
ing, and  the  fact  that  he  had  rendered  such  a  signal  service 
to  his  State  was  a  reflection  more  pleasing  to  him,  than 
outward  honors.  But  as  we  have  ah^eady  shown,  Major 
Sutherlin  long  before  the  Committee  of  Niue  had  an  exis- 
tence, was  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  Virginia,  in  trying  to 
place  the  State  on  a  secure  footing  in  the  Union.  In  the 
summer  of  1868,  Gen.  W.  S.  Rosencrans,  a  noted  Federal 
general,  who  was  sojourning  at  the  White  Sulphur  Springs 
was  so  much  impressed  with  the  then  chaotic  condition  of 
affairs  in  Virginia,  that  he  addressed  the  following  open  let- 
ter to  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  : 

[19] 


White  Sulphur  Speingh,  West  Virginia,  Aug.  26,  1868. 

General — Full  of  solicitude  for  tlie  future  of  our  country, 
I  come  with  my  beart  and  hand,  to  learn  the  condition,  wishes 
and  intentions  of  the  people  of  the  Southern  States — espec- 
ially to  ascertain  the  sentiments  of  that  body  of  grave, 
energetic  self-sacrificing  men.  who,  after  sustaining  the  Con- 
federacy for  four  years,  laid  down  their  arms  and  swore 
allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  whose 
trusted  and  beloved  leader  you  have  been. 

I  see  that  interpreting  "State's  right"  to  conflict  with 
national  unity  has  produced  a  violent  reaction  against  them, 
which  is  drifting  us  towards  consolidation  ;  and,  also,  that  so 
great  a  country  as  ours  even  now  is,  certainly  is  to  be,  must 
have  State  governments  to  attend  to  local  details,  or  go 
farther  and  fare  worse. 

It  is  plain  to  us  at  the  West  and  North  that  the  continu- 
ance of  semi-anarchy,  such  as  has  existed  for  the  last  three 
years  in  ten  States  of  our  Union,  largely  increases  the  clan- 
ger of  centralization,  swells  our  national  expenditures,  dim- 
inishes our  productions  and  our  revenue,  inspires  doubts  of 
our  political  and  financial  stability,  depreciates  the  value  of 
our  national  bonds  and  currency,  and  places  the  credit  of 
the  richest  below  that  of  the  poorest  nation  in  Christendom. 

We  know  that  our  currency  must  be  depreciated  so  long 
as  our  bonds  are  below  par;  and,  that,  therefore,  the  vast 
business  and  commerce  of  our  country  must  sufier  the  terri- 
ble evil  of  a  fluctuating  standard  of  value,  until  we  can  remedy 
the  evil  condition  of  things  at  the  South.  We  also  see  other 
mischief  quite  possible  if  not  prob  ible  to  arise  ;  such  as  from 
a  failure  of  crops,  a  local  insurrection,  and  many  other  un- 
forseen  contingencies,  which  may  still  more  depreciate  our 
credit  and  currency,  provoke  discontent  and  disorder  among 
our  people,  and  bring  demagogical  agitation,  revolution, 
repudiation,^^anda  thousand  unnamed^evils  and  villainies  upon 
us.  We  know  that  the  interest  of  the  people  of  the  South 
are  for  law  and  order,  and  that  they  must  share  our  fate  of 
good  and  ill. 

I  believe — every  one,  I  know,  who  reflects,  believes — that 

[30] 


if  the  people  of  the  Southern  States  could  be  at  peace,  and 
their  energy  and  good-will  heartily  applied  to  repair  the 
wastes  of  war,  reorganize  their  business,  set  the  freedmen 
peacefully,  prosperously  and  contentedly  at  work,  invite 
capital,  enterprise  and  labor  elsewhere  to  com^  freely 
amongst  them,  they  would  rebuild  their  ruined  fortunes, 
multiply  manifold  the  value  of  their  lands,  establish  public 
confidence  in  our  political  stability,  bring  our  government 
bonds  to  premium,  our  currency  to  a  gold  standard  and  as- 
sure for  themselves  and  the  whole  nation  a  most  happy  and 
prosperous  future.  Seeing  this,  and  how  all  just  interests 
concur  in  the  work,  T  ask  the  officers  and  soldiers  who 
fought  for  the  Union — every  thinking  man  of  the  great  West 
and  North  asks — why  it  cannot  be  done. 

We  are  told  by  those  who  have  controlled  the  Government 
for  the  last  four  years  that  the  people  ot  the  South  will  not 
do  it  ;  that  if  ever  done  at  all,  it  must  be  done  by  the  poor, 
simple,  uneducated,  landless  freedmen  and  the  few  whites 
who,  against  the  public  opinion  and  sentiment  of  the  intelli- 
gent white  people,  are  willing  to  attempt  to  lead  and  make 
their  living  of  the  ignorant,  unexperienced  colored  people, 
mostly  men  who  must  be  needy  adventurers  or  without  any 
of  those  attributes  on  which  reliance  for  good  guidance  or 
government  can  be  placed.  We  are  told  that  this  kind  of 
Government  must  be  continued  at  the  South  until  six  or 
eight  millions  of  intelligent,  energetic  white  people  give  into 
it,  or  move  out  of  the  country. 

Now,  I  think,  the  Union  army  thinks,  and  the  people  of 
the  Jsorth  and  West,  I  dare  say,  believe  there  must  be,  or 
there  ought  to  be,  a  shorter  and  surer  way  to  get  good  gov- 
ernment for  all  at  the  South. 

We  know  that  they  who  organized  and  sustained  the 
Southern  Confederacy  for  four  years  against  gigantic 
efforts,  ought  to  be  able  to  give  peace,  law,  order,  and  pro- 
tection to  the  whole  people  of  the  South. 

They  have  the  interest  and  power  to  employ,  protect,  ed- 
ucate, and  elevate  the  poor  freedmen,  and  to  restore  them- 
selves and  our  country  to  all  the  blessings  of  which  I  have 

[21] 


just  spoken.  The  question  we  want  answered  is — "Are  tliey 
willing  to  do  it  ?" 

I  came  down  to  find  out  what  the  people  of  the  South 
think  of  this,  and  to  ask  you  wh^it  the  officers  and  soldiers 
who  served  in  the  C  )nfederate  army,  and  the  leadiug  people 
who  sustained  it,  think  of  these  things. 

I  came  to  ask  more.  I  want  to  ask  you,  in  whose  purity 
and  patriotism  I  here  express  unqualified  confidence,  and  so 
many  good  men  as  you  can  conveniently  consult,  to  say  what 
you  think  of  it,  and  also  what  you  aie  willing  to  do  about  it. 
I  want  a  written  expression  of  views  that  can  be  followed  by 
a  concurrence  of  action.  I  want  to  know  if  you  and  the 
gentlemen  who  will  join  3'ou  in  that  written  expression  are 
willing  to  pledge  the  people  of  the  South  to  a  chivalrous 
and  magnanimous  devotion  to  restoring  peace  and  prosperity 
to  our  common  country.  I  want  to  carry  that  pledge  high 
above  the  level  of  party  politics,  to  the  late  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  Union  army,  aud  the  people  of  the  North  and 
West,  and  to  ask  them  to  consider  it,  and  to  take  the  nec- 
essary action,  confident  that  it  will  meet  with  a  response  so 
warm,  so  generous  and  confiding  that  we  shall  see  in  its 
sunshine  the  rainbow  of  peace  in  our  political  sky,  now 
black  with  clouds  and  impending  storm. 

I  know  you  are  a  representative  man — in  reverence  and 
regard  for  the  Union,  the  Constitution  and  the  welfare  of  the 
country,  and  that  what  you  would  say  would  be  endorsed  by 
nine-tenths  of  the  whole  people  of  the  South  ;  but  I  should 
like  to  have  the  signatures  of  all  the  representative  South- 
ern men  here  who  would  concur  in  your  views,  and  expres- 
sions of  their  concurrence  from  the  principal  officers  and 
representative  men  throughout  the  South,  w^hen  they  can  be 
procurred. 

This  concurrence  of  opinions  and  wills,  all  tending  to 
peace,  order,  and  stability,  will  assure  our  Union  soldiers 
and  business  men — who  want  substantial  and  solid  peace— 
and  cause  them  to  rise  above  the  level  of  party  politics,  and 

[22] 


take  such  steps  to  meet  yours  as  ^vill  insure  a  lasting  peace, 
with  all  its  countless  blessings. 

Tery  truly  your  friend, 

W.  S.  EOSECEAXS. 

Gen.  E.  E.  Lee,  White  Sulphur  Springs,  West  Yirginia. 

The  reply  of  Gen.  Lee  to  this  letter  shows  in  what  light 
Ma.joe  SrxHEELix  was  regarded  by  him,  as  well  as  others. 
Gen.  Lee  knew  Ma.joe  Sutheelin  personally,  haying  come 
in  contact  with  him  frequently  during  the  war  in  the  latter's 
capacity,  as  one  of  the  Confederate  Quarter-Masters.  The 
reply  was  as  follows  : 

White  vSulphue  Speings,  West  Yieginla,  Aug.  26,  1868. 

Geneeal. — I  haye  had  the  honor  to  receiye  your  letter  of 
this  date,  and  in  accordance  with  your  suggestions  I  haye 
conferred  with  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  the  South  in 
whose  judgment  I  haye  confided,  and  who  are  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  public  sentiment  of  their  respectiye  States. 
They  haye  kindly  consented  to  unite  with  me  in  leplyiug  to 
your  communication,  and  their  names  will  be  found  with  my 
own  appended  to  this  answer.  With  this  explanation,  we 
proceed  to  giye  you  a  candid  statement  of  what  we  beiieye 
to  be  the  sentiment  of  the  Southern  people  in  regard  to  the 
subject  to  which  you  refer. 

Whateyer  opinions  may  haye  prevailed  in  the  past  in  re- 
gard to  African  sLiyery  or  the  right  of  a  State  to  secede 
from  the  Union,  we  believe  we  express  the  almost  unani- 
mous judgment  of  the  Southern  people  when  we  declare 
that  they  consider  that  those  questions  were  decided  by  the 
war,  and  that  it  is  their  intention  in  good  faith  to  abicle  by 
that  decision.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  the  Southern  people 
laid  down  their  arms  and  sought  to  resume  their  former  rel- 
ations with  the  United  States  Government  Through  their 
State  Conventions  they  abolished  slavery  and  annulled  their 
ordinances  of  secession,  and  they  returned  to  their  peaceful 


pursuits  with  a  sincere  purpose  to  fulfill  all  their  duties  un- 
der the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  they  had 
sworn  to  support.  If  their  action  in  these  particulars  had 
been  met  in  a  spirit  of  frankness  and  cordiality,  we  believe 
that  ere  this,  old  irritations  would  have  passed  away,  and  the 
wounds  inflicted  by  the  war  would  have  been  in  a  great  meas- 
ure healed.  As  far  as  we  are  advised,  the  people  of  the 
South  entertain  no  unfrienuly  feeling  towards  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  but  they  complain  that  their 
rights  under  the  Constitution  are  withheld  under  the  admin- 
istration thereof. 

The  idea  that  the  Southern  people  are  hostile  to  the  ne- 
groes, and  would  oppress  them  if  it  were  in  their  power  to 
do  so,  is  entirely  unfounded.  They  have  grown  up  in  our 
midst,  and  we  have  been  accustomed  from  childhood  to  look 
upon  them  with  kindness.  The  change  in  the  relations  of 
the  two  races  has  wrought  no  change  in  our  feeling  towards 
them.  They  still  constitute  the  important  part  of  our  labor- 
ing population  Without  their  labor  the  lands  of  the  South 
would  be  comparatively  unproductive.  Without  the  emplo}'- 
ment  which  Southern  agriculture  affords  they  would  be  des- 
titute of  the  means  of  subsistence,  and  become  paupers,  de- 
pendent upon  public  bounty.  Self-interest,  even  if  there 
were  no  higher  motive,  would  therefore  prompt  the  whites  of 
the  South  to  extend  to  the  negroes  care  and  protection. 

The  important  fact  that  the  two  races  are,  under  exist- 
ing circumstances,  necessary  to  each  other,  is  gradually  be- 
coming apparent  to  both,  and  we  believe  that  but  for  the  in- 
fluence exerted  to  stir  up  the  passions  of  the  negroes  the  re- 
lations of  the  two  races  would  soon  adjust  themselves  on  a 
basis  of  mutual  kinduess  and  advantage. 

It  is  true  that  the  people  of  the  South,  together  with  the 
people  of  the  North  and  West,  are,  for  obvious  rea- 
sons opposed  to  any  system  of  laws  which  will  place  the 
political  power  of  the  country  in  the  hands  of  the  negro  race. 
But  the  opposition  springs  from  no  feeling  of  enmity,  but 
from  a  deep-seated  conviction  that  at  present  the  negroes 
have  neither  the  intelligence  nor  the  qualifications  which 


are  necessary  to  make  them  safe  depositories  of  political 
power.  They  would  inevitably  become  the  victim  of  dema- 
gogues, who  for  selfish  purposes  would  mislead  them,  to  the 
serious  injury  of  the  public. 

The  great  want  of  the  South  is  peace.  The  people  earn- 
estly desire  tranquility  and  the  restoration  af  the  Union. 
They  deprecate  disorder  and  excitement  as  the  most  serious 
obstacle  to  their  prosperty.  They  ask  a  restoration  of  their 
rights  under  the  constitution.  They  desire  relief  from  op- 
pressive misrule.  Above  all,  they  look  to  their  countrymen 
for  the  establishment  in  the  Southern  States  of  that  which 
has  justly  been  regarded  as  the  birthright  of  every  Ameri- 
can— the  right  of  self  government.  Establish  these  on  a 
firm  basis,  and  we  can  safely  promise  on  behalf  of  the  South- 
ern people  that  they  will  faithfully  obey  the  Constitution 
and  laws  of  the  United  States,  treat  the  negro  with  kind- 
ness and  humanity,  and  fulfil  every  duty  incumlDent  on  peace- 
ful citizens  loyal  to  the  Constitution  of  their  country. 

We  believe  the  above  contains  a  succinct  reply  to  the  gen- 
eral topics  eml^raced  in  your  letter,  and  we  venture  to  say  in 
behalf  of  the  Southern  people  and  of  the  ofiicers  and  soldiers 
of  the  Confederate  army,  that  they  will  concur  in  all  the 
sentiments  which  we  have  expressed. 

Approaching  the  patriotic  motives  which  have  prom23ted 
your  letter,  and  reciprocating  your  expressions  of  kind  re- 
gard, we  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Yery  respectfully  and  truly, 
K.  E.  Lee,  of  Ya.,  G.  T.  Beauregard,  La.,  Alex.  H. 
Stephens,  Ga.,  A.  H.  H  Stuart,  Ya.,  C.  M.  Conrad,  La., 
Linton  Stephens,  Ga  ,  A.  T.  Caper  ton,  W.  Ya.,  John 
Echols,  Ya.,  F.  S.  Stockdale,  Texas,  F.  W.  Pickens,  S. 
C,  Wm.  J.  Eobertson.  Ya ,  Jos.  R  Anderson,  Ya., 
Wm.  F.  Turner,  W.  Ya.,  C.  H.  Suber,  S.  C,  E.  Fon- 
taine, Ya.  Jon  Letcher,  Ya.,  R  C.  Adams,  Miss.,  W.  J. 
Green,  N.  C,  Lewis  E.  Harvie,  Ya.,  W.  T.  Sutherlin, 
Ya.,  P.  Y  Daniel,  Jr  ,  Ya.,  A.  B.  James,  La.,  T.  Bure- 
gard  Texas,  M.  O.  H.  Norton,  La  ,  T,  P.  Branch,  Ga., 
[25] 


H.  T.  Eussell,  Ga.,  Sam'lJ.  Douglas,  Fla.,  Jeremiah 
Morton,  Ya  ,  John  B.  Baklwin,  Ya..  Geo.  W.  Boiling, 
Ya  ,  Thos.  S.  Flournoy,  Ya.,  James  Lyons,  Ya. 
To  Gen.  W.  S.  Eosecrans,  Minister  to  Mexico,  White  Snl- 
phur  Springs,  West  Ya 


CHAPTER  lY. 

It  has  already  been  seen  that  Majoe  Sutherlin  was  al- 
ways willing  to  serve  his  people,  but  he  believed  the  office 
should  seek  the  man,  and  not  the  man  the  office.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  feeling  and  opinion  he  never  tried  conclusions 
with  political  hustlers.  He  was  called  upon  in  1871  to  serve 
his  people  in  the  Legislature,  and  while  there  signalized 
himself  in  his  efforts  to  create  an  Agricultural  College  in 
which  he  was  eminently  successful  as  the  college  at  Blacks- 
burg,  now  in  full  operation,  attest. 

When  the  Yirginia  Agricultural  Society  was  organized 
Major  Sutherlin  was  elected  its  President  and  held  this 
office  for  two  years.  Upon  the  creation  of  the  Yirginia  State 
Board  of  Agriculture  he  was  made  its  President,  and  held 
this  office  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Of  his  services  to  the 
State  in  that  lelatiou  his  confreres  upon  the  Board  will  at- 
test upon  another  page  of  this  memoir. 

There  are  some  men  whose  intellects  seem  to  find  happi- 
ness alone  in  colossal  labor  in  many  different  spheres  at  the 
same  time.  Major  Satherlin  was  one  of  these.  No  man 
perhaps  in  Yirginia  ever  was  employed  in  so  many  gigantic 
enterprises  at  the  same  time  as  he,  and  came  out  of  them  all 

[26] 


with  flying  colors.  To  enumerate  them  all  and  describe  the 
parts  minutely,  taken  by  him,  would  swell  this  volume  to 
unwonted  proportions.  And  so  we  must  content  ourselves 
with  an  enumeration  of  his  most  striking  efforts  and  enter- 
prises. That  he  Avas  an  able  financier,  was  exemplified  by 
every  financial  transaction  of  his  entire  life,  from  the  first 
trip  he  took  South  with  a  two-horse  load  of  manufactured 
tobacco,  when  he  was  a  mere  youth,  and  upon  which  he 
cleared  $700.00,  down  to  his  last  business  transaction. 
Failure  was  never  written  on  anything  he  undertook.  He 
was  the  organizer  of  the  old  bank  of  Danville,  having  gotten 
up  the  stock,  much  of  which  stood  in  his  own  name  and  was 
its  President.  He  also  organized  the  Border  Grange  Bank 
of  Danville,  and  was  its  first  President,  and  in  consequence 
he  was  one  of  the  best  posted  men  of  Virginia,  concerning 
the  operation  of  State  banks,  and  his  speeches  in  advocacy 
of  the  same  were  lucid  and  powerful.  And  we  may  add 
here  that  his  speech  on  the  benefits  arising  on  State  banks 
delivered  at  the  request  of  a  large  number  of  influential 
citizens  of  Pittsylvania  at  Chatham  in  June  1893,  created  a 
profound  impression  on  its  favor,  the  leading  papers  com- 
menting upon  it  favorably,  wliile  petitions  came  from  other 
sections  of  the  State,  asking  for  its  repetition,  among  which 
was  one  from  Bedford  county,  so  numerously  signed  that  he 
had  agreed  to  address  the  citizens  of  that  county  at  a  date 
only  a  few  days  after  his  death. 

As  a  railroad  builder  and  organizer  also,  Majoe  Sutheh- 
LIN  signalized  his  career.  It  will  be  remembered  that  dur- 
ing the  late  war  no  road  in  the  State  suffered  so  much  as  the 

[2TJ  -  • 


Eiclimond  &  Danville.  It  was  the  one  great  thoroughfare 
between  the  Army  of  Lee  and  the  South.  In  consequence 
its  rolling  stock  was  subjected  to  the  most  continuous  wear 
and  tear  of  any  other  line.  At  the  close  of  the  war  it  was 
literally  "run  down,"  and  was  even  threatened  with  confisca- 
tion by  the  United  States  Government.  At  this  critical 
juncture  in  its  history  Majoe  Sutherlin  became  one  of  its 
Board  of  Directors,  and  for  thirteen  years  was  a  leader  in 
its  developments,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  record  that  his  sa- 
gacity and  foresightedness  had  much  to  do  with  bringing 
it  from  the  wreck  in  which  the  war  had  left  it  and  placing 
it  in  a  position  to  become  the  great  highway  it  is. 

Scarcely  however,  had  he  accomplished  this  mammoth  un- 
dertaking before  he  was  called  upon  to  undertake  a  simi- 
lar, and  even  more  difficult  enterprise— the  building  of  the 
Milton  &  Sutherlin  Road— a  branch  of  the  R.  &  D.,  extend- 
ing from  Sutherlin  Station,  in  Halifax  county,  to  Milton,  N. 
C.  But  as  if  there  could  be  no  rest  for  such  a  man  as  Wil- 
liam T.  Sutherlin,  the  cross-ties  on  the  last  named  road 
had  hardly  become  seasoned  before  he  was  urged  to  under- 
take the  completion  of  an  independent  line  extending  west- 
ward from  Danville,  and  now  known  as  the  Danville  & 
Western.  He  did  so  and  it  was  agreed  on  all  sides  that  in 
building  this  road  Major  Sutherlin  overcame  difficulties 
and  obstacles  that  no  other  man  could  have  done  at  that 
time. 

During  all  these  busy  years,  requiring  the  energies  it 
would  seem  of  a  dozen  able  men.  Major  Sutherlin  was 
called  upon  to  serve  the  Democratic  party  as  a  member  of 

m 


the  State  Executive  Committee,  and  altlioiigli  we  know  that 
"Honor's  voice  cannot  provoke  the  silent  dnst,  nor  Hattery 
soothe  the  dull  cold  ear  of  death," — jet,  simple  justice  re- 
quires one  who  would  trulj'  write  his  life  to  say,  that  no 
party  ever  had  one  more  competent  to  advise  it,  to  outline 
its  policy,  and  map  out  its  progrnm  of  action  than  Major 
SuTHEELiN.  When  the  factions  of  the  Democratic  party  in 
May  1892  were  ready  to  rend  the  organization  to  pieces  on 
account  of  rival  candidates  for  the  Presidency,  the  voice 
of  Major  Sutrerlin  was  for  compromise  and  peace  in  the 
great  Democratic  family  and  it  prevailed.  But  a  whole 
chapter  on  this  phase  alone  of  his  career,  could  be  written, 
showing  that  he  was  equal  to  almost  any  emergency  that 
could  arise. 

Having  so  far  in  a  cursory  manner  given  an  outline  of 
Major  Sutherlin's  public  career,  it  is  now  time  to  turn  at- 
tention to  his  own  beloved  home — the  city  of  Danville,  where 
monuments  of  his  goodness  and  munificence  abound,  where 
his  whole  life  was  spent ;  where  he  reared  his  family ;  served 
his  God,  and  at  last  sleeps  with  his  fathers. 


CHAPTEK  V. 

A  knowledge  of  the  home  life  of  any  one  who  has  left  an 
impression  upon  the  age  in  which  he  lived  is  always  of  sur- 
passing interest,  and  no  biography  is  complete  without  it. 
When  we  say  home  life,  we  do  not  mean  the  petty  details 
of  domesticity,  but  home  surroundings,  home  activities  and 

m 


borne  achievements  in  a  larger  sense.  And  we  may  say  that 
no  one  was  ever  more  entitled  to  call  his  whole  city  his 
home,  than  Major  Sutherlin.  Danville  was  to  him  the 
apple  of  his  eye  ;  the  city  of  his  love.  With  an  almost  eas- 
tern devotion,  he  knelt  at  the  shrine  of  her  idolatry.  There 
was  never  a  time  from  early  manhood,  to  old  age,  that  he 
did  not  strive  for  her  interests,  and  try  to  promote  her  wel- 
fare. 

We  have  already  briefly  alluded  to  some  of  the  enterprises 
iuangurated  by  him  before,  and  since  the  war.  In  this  chapter 
dealing  almost  exclusively  with  his  career  as  a  citizen  of 
Danville,  we  feel  warranted  in  speaking  more  at  length, 
concerning  home  affairs. 

Any  one  who  is  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  a  file  of  a  Dan- 
ville newspaper  published  before  the  war,  will  not  fail  to 
notice  in  perusing  it  that  in  every  enterprise  of  those  days 
of  any  significance,  the  name  of  William  T.  Sutherlin  is 
prominent,  either  as  President,  Committee-man,  or  Director, 
thus  showing  his  public  spirit  and  the  estimation  in  which 
he  wrts  held  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

No  enterprise,  we  dare  say  before  the  war,  when  Danville 
was  struggling  for  a  foot-hold  in  the  financial  world  ever 
elicited  more  interest  than  the  establishment  of  a  bank,  and 
the  part  undertaken  by  Major  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  can  best  be 
told  by  those  who  were  living  at  that  time,  and  who  were 
familiar  with  all  the  facts  in  the  case.  From  the  Danville 
Regisii'V  and  Milton  Chronide  of  June  the  10th,  1858,  we 
make  the  following  extracts  : 

It  will  hardly  be  believed  that  the  stock  in  the  Dauville 

[30] 


Bank,  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  only  a  few 
Aveeks  ago,  has  all  been  taken  thus  soon  Such,  however,  is 
the  fact.  And  it  is  truly  astonishing,  when  we  consider  the 
cry  of  hard  times.  But  what  is  there  in  the  power  of  mortal 
man,  that  Wm  T.  Sutherlin,  Esq..  of  Danville  cannot  ac- 
complish when  he  wills  the  undertaking  ?  To  him,  we  learn, 
is  the  institution  indebted  for  almost  every  dollar's  worth  of 
stock  obtained.  But  few,  if  any  one  besides  himself,  deemed 
it  possible  to  get  half  the  stock  taken,  in  vieAv  of  the  finan- 
cial pressure ;  and  we  believe  that  all  the  other  Commission- 
ers, despairing  of  success  even  before  they  made  a  trial,  left 
the  whole  matter  to  his  hands,  To  work  he  went,  and  al- 
most before  the  members  of  the  Legislature  that  chartered 
the  Bank,  return  home  and  get  warm  in  their  seats,  Mr. 
Sutherlin  gets  $2000  worth  of  stock  taken  more  than  is 
needed.  Extraordinary  man,  truly !  The  word  "fail,"  is 
not  in  his  vocabulary.  Ye  croakers,  on  whose  lips  dwell  the 
word  "can't,"  see  what  energy  and  perseverance  will  do  ! 

We  learn  that  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  stock  was  taken  in 
the  county. — Milton  Chronicle. 

From  News  and  Advertiser  :  ■ 

On  Thursday,  the  10th  inst  ,  the  Commissioners  of  the 
"Bank  of  Danville"  met  at  the  Masonic  Hall,  when  it  was 
ascertained  that  $130,000  had  been  subscribed,  ten  ])er  cent 
on  this  amount  was  promptly  paid,  whereupon  the  Stock- 
holders assembled,  and  proceeded  to  organize  by  appointing 
Bobt.  Lawson,  Esq.,  of  Kockin^ham,  N.  C,  to  the  chair,  and 
Dr.  N.  Koane  and  Eobt.  Richardson,  Esq.,  of  North  Carolina, 
Secretary. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  elected  Directors  for 
the  ensuing  year  to  wit :  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  Levi  Holbrook, 
Jno.  O.  ^  lass,  W.  P.  Graves  and  S.  H.  Holland.  The  Board 
of  Directors  then  elected  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  President  of  the 
Bank. 

A  large  number  of  the  Stockholders  paid  the  whole  amount 
of  their  subscriptions  :  others  paid  forty,  fifty  and  sixty  per 
cent,  it  having  been  determined  to  pay  interest  on  advance 

[81] 


payments,  and  charge  interest  on  delinquents.  The  whole 
stock  however,  is  required  to  be  paid  within  six  months 
from  the  10th  June,  1858. 

We  only  bestow  a  simple  of  justice  in  stating  that  W.  T. 
SuTHERLiN,  Esq.,  was  voted  for  as  Director  by  every  Stock- 
holder except  himself,  and  the  votes  of  every  director  were 
given  him  for  President  except  his  own.  This  remarkable 
token  of  appreciation,  was  more  than  won  by  Mr.  Sutherlin 
in  his  strenuous  and  untiring  exertions  in  securing  the  new 
Bank,  from  the  first  start  of  the  enterprise  until  its  organiz- 
ation. 

We  have  heretoforere  frained  from  any  commendtoary  re- 
marks of  Mr.  Sutherlin  in  regard  to  his  services  in  tliis 
matter,  fearing  that  prejudice  might  unfortunately  grow  out 
of  it  to  the  injury  of  the  cause  or  the  disparagement  of  the 
gentleman.  The  feeling  of  the  public  has  now  been  expi  essed 
by  the  unanimous  voice  of  all  that  are  interested,  and  well 
and  properly  may  we  congratulate  our  worthy  and  esteemed 
townsman  on  his  success  both  in  accomplishing  good  for 
the  public  and  in  ascending  to  the  pinnacle  of  popularity. 
Those  who  are  best  acquainted  with  Wm  T.  Sutherlin  know 
that  the  ruling  element  in  his  nature  is  to  do  good — it  is  his 
ambition  to  raise  his  community  to  the  highest  standard  of 
moral  and  political  worth,  and  bestow  upon  his  fellow-man 
such  blessings  as  it  becomes  the  hand  of  mortal  to  dispense. 
"The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire."  Hence  we  see  the 
poor  young  Sutherlin  a  few  years  back,  treading  the  path 
that  leads  upward  and  onward,  now  seemingly  the  favorite 
of  fortune  and  the  honored  of  fame.  There  is  a  great  and 
valuable  lesson  to  be  learned  in  this  man's  progress,  and  if 
we  are  personal  in  speaking  of  him  we  must  be  pardoned. 
It  must  be  spoken  of.  Every  public  work  that  Danville 
can  boast  of  speaks  iu  his  praise,  and  the  present  prosperity 
of  our  town  emanated  to  a  great  extent  from  the  influence 
and  energy  of  Mr.  Sutherlin  . 

The  Bank  of  Danville  is  in  good  hands,  and  we  bespeak 
for  it  a  prosperous  career. 

[32]  - 


From  the  Danville  Register : 

We  have  all  along  been  well  aware  that  the  establishment 
of  the  Bank  of  Danville  would  be  clue  alone  to  the  exertions 
of  this  gentleman.  When  the  Bank  bill  passed  the  Legisla- 
ture, there  was  no  one  else  in  this  town  or  vicinity  bold 
enough,  in  view  of  the  disastrous  financial  pressure  and  the 
general  prostration  of  credit,  to  lay  hold  of  the  project  and 
take  an  active  agency  in  procuring  subscriptions  to  the  cap- 
ital stock.  We  have  from  the  very  first  believed  that  the 
scheme  would  be  crowned  with  success,  and  so  we  have  ex- 
pressed ourselves  ;  but  the  majority  of  the  persons  in  this 
community,  and  especially  the  monied  men,  thought  differ- 
ently. We  based  our  belief  upon  the  known  energy,  self- 
confidence  and  untiring  zeal  of  W.  T.  Sutheelin. 

We  have,  from  good  and  obvious  reasons,  heretofore  re- 
frained from  rendering  this  gentleman  the  just  and  merited 
congratulation  due  to  his  success  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Bank.  The  Stockholders  have  fully  appreciated  the  service. 
In  the  election  of  Directors  last  Thursday,  Mr.  Sutherlin 
received  every  vote  cast  except  his  own  ;  and  when  the  Di- 
rectors assembled  in  the  afternoon  to  elect  the  President  of 
the  Bank,  he  again  received  every  vote  save  his  own.  This 
speaks  for  itself,  and  in  terms  not  to  be  misunderstood. 

This  is,  however,  not  the  first  evidence  of  public  spirit  in 
the  interests  of  Danville  which  Major  Sutherlin  had  given, 
as  the  following  incident  will  show  : 

On  Sunday  evening,  August  25tli,  1850,  about  sundown,  an 
accident  occurred,  which  proved,  for  the  time  being,  almost  a 
calamity  to  the  town,  so  great  was  the  inconvenience  it  oc- 
casioned, but  which  resulted — as  similar  accidents  are  in 
the  habit  of  doing — in  direct  and  permanent  advantage  to 
the  locality,  by  causing  a  much  needed  deficiency  to  be 
promptly  supplied.  Tlie  old  wooden  wagon  and  foot  l)ridge, 
which  was  supposed  to  have  been  erected  about  seventy 


years  previously,  and  had  long  been  in  a  dilapidated  and 
unsafe  condition,  was  waslied  aAvay  by  tlie  river,  which  had 
become  an  angry  torrent  during  a  storm  of  unprecedented 
length  and  violence.  No  other  bridge  spanned  the  river  at 
that  time  except  the  railroad  viaduct  of  the  Richmond  and 
Danville  Eailroad  Company,  and  this  was  useless  for  the 
purpose  of  general  traffic.  The  old  ford  was  therefore  re- 
sorted to  once  more,  as  affording  the  only  remaining  means 
of  communication  between  the  opposite  banks  of  the  Dan, 
and  even  this  was  available  only  at  such  times  as  the  river 
was  free  from  freshets. 

Something  must  be  done,  and  that  quickly,  to  repair  the 
loss,  as  it  was  evident  that  the  trade  of  the  town  would 
otherwise  suffer  seriously.  Ma.jor  Sutherlin,  then  largely 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tobacco  and  other  local  en- 
terprises, came  to  the  rescue  in  this  emergency,  with  the 
public  spiritedness  which  had  always  distinguished  him,  and 
purchased  the  sight  and  privileges  of  the  demolished  bridge 
for  $4,500.  As  soon  as  practicable,  he  secured  the  co-opera- 
tion of  Messrs.  A.  G.  Walters,  Francis  Williams,  Daniel 
McLaughlin,  J.  W.  Pace,  Wm.  R.  McCoy  and  Sanders  Slate, 
and  these  gentlemen  together  built  another  bridge  in  1851 
at  a  cost  of  about  $12,000 — Mr.  Daniel  McLaughlin  doing 
the  stone  work  of  the  piers,  and  Messrs.  Joseph  Yarbrough 
and  Dribney  Terry  adding  the  wooden  superstructure.  The 
brid<j;e  was  sold  to  the  City  Council  and  the  Virginia  Mid- 
land Railroad  Company,  jointly,  in  1873,  for  $20,000,  and 
thrown  open  to  the  public  as  a  Free  Bridge. 

Major  ^Sutherlin  was  ever  an  enthusiastic  Mason,  and 

m 


was  one  of  the  main  promoters  of  the  fraternity  in  Danville. 
A  few  facts  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  the  Order,  will 
show  the  prominent  part  taken  by  him  in  this  matter. 

The  same  year  that  saw  the  completion  of  the  bridge 
across  tbe  Danyille  rapids,  1851,  witnessed  also  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Masonic  Temple,  on  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Union  streets— still  a  handsome  and  imposing  structure, 
and  at  the  time  of  the  erection,  the  finest  building  in  the 
town.  A  few  enterprising  members  of  the  Roman  Eagle 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  determined  to  have  a  new  hall,  if 
vigorous  united  effort  couki  accomplish  that  desirable  end. 
The  Lodge  owned  a  lot  on  Craghead  Street  in  the  rear  of 
Banner  Warehouse,  with  a  building  on  it  which  at  that  time 
was  used  as  a  Court  House.  This  lot  was  sold  for  $2,000? 
and  a  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means  appointed,  consisting 
of  the  Eev.  Geo.  W.  Dame,  D.  D.,  Worshipful  Master;  Dr. 
Thos.  P.  Atkinson,  Senior  Warden,  and  Wm.  Sutherlin, 
Junior  Warden.  With  the  aid  of  a  few  subscriptions  on  the 
part  of  those  citizens  interested  in  Main  Street  and  Union 
Street  property,  these  gentlemen  purchased  the  corner  lot 
and  erected  the  Temple  at  a  total  cost  of  $13,000,  without 
calling  upon  any  member  of  the  Lodge  to  contribute  as 
much  as  one  cent.  With  the  revenues  of  the  Hall  and  the 
three  fine  stores  which  occupy  the  first  floor  the  debt  has 
been  paid  off  and  the  value  of  the  property  to-day  is  esti- 
mated at  $15,000. 

But  as  a  convincing  proof  of  the  aid  he  not  only  then,  but 
at  all  other  times  rendered  the  Lodge,  the  following  letter 
copied  from  tbe  Record,  fully  attests: 

■[35] 


Office  of  Seceetary,  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  122,  A.  F.  and  A. 

M.,  Chaiteied  Dec.  13th,  1820,  A.  D.,  1820. 

At  tlie  regular  stated  Communication  of  Roman  Eagle 
Lodge,  No.  152,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  held  in  the  Masonic  Tem- 
ple, Danville,  Ya.,  July  13th,  1879,  A.  L..  5879,  the  following 
Preamble  and  Resolutions  were  adopted  :  In  view  of  his 
valuable  services  rendered  to  this  Lodge  in  times  past,  and 
when  Masonry  was  in  its  infancy  in  this  community,  and 
desiring  to  show  some  expression  of  appreciation  of  the  lab- 
ors of  our  esteemed  brobher,  especially  so,  as  there  has 
never  appeared  upon  our  Records,  any  recognition  of  the 
same.  Therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  whatever  dues  are  now  standing  against 
Bro.  W.  T.  SuTHERLiN,  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby  remitted, 
and 

Second,  That  no  annual  dues  be  hereafter  charged  to  him. 

Third,  That  the  Secretary  be  instructed  to  furnish  Bro. 
SuTHERLTN  with  a  copy  of  this  Preamble  and  Resolutions. 

It  is  well  known  every  where  that  Danville's  rapid  growth 
and  pre-eminence  was  due  in  the  first  instance  to  her  tobacco 
industry.  With  the  promoters  of  this  industry  the  name  of 
William  T.  Sutherlin  is  indissolubly  linked,  anil  at  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  the  oldest  member  of  the  Tobacco 
Association.  This  primitive  industry  was  well  nigh  crushed 
by  the  great  panic  of  1837,  and  it  only  dragged  its  slow 
length  along  for  nearly  twenty  years  afterwards.  About  this 
time  Major  Sutherlin,  who  had  been  a  leaf  dealer,  went  into 
the  manufacturing  business,  and  in  a  short  time  was  in  con- 
trol of  one  of  the  largest  tobacco  factories  in  the  State,  with 

[36] 


but  one  exception,  that  of  James  Thomas,  of  Richmond.  He 
was  also  tlie  pioneer  in  applying  steam  to  Hydraulic  To- 
bacco Presses. 

Along  religious  lines  the  light  of  Ma.toe  Sutheelin's  life 
shone  brightly.  Here,  as  elsewhere  he  was  a  man  of  affairs. 
When  it  was  found  that  Wilson  street  church  was  too  small 
to  accommodate  its  membership,  and  a  proposition  either 
to  make  the  church  larger,  or  select  another  site,  was  to  be 
decided,  the  judgment  and  generosity  of  Ma.tor  Sutheelin 
were  both  exercised,  the  one  sagaciously  and  the  other  lib- 
erally. The  site  on  which  Main  Street  Methodist  church 
now  stands,  was  selected,  purchased  and  paid  for  by  him. 
In  addition  to  all  this,  he  was  not  satisfied  until  he  had 
contributed  several  thousand  dollars  more  to  the  erection  of 
the  building.  Mount  Yernon  (Methodist),  another  beauti- 
ful church  edifice  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  home, 
and  in  which  he  held  his  membership  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  and  of  which  he  \\as  a  Steward,  felt  his  liberality. 
Education  was  also  an  engrossing  theme  with  this  public 
spirited  man.  He  was  not  content  with  urging  its  import- 
ance with  his  pen  and  his  voice,  but  used  his  means,  as  well 
as  his  time  in  promoting  it.  It  was  mainly  owing  to  his 
ability,  zeal  and  liberality  that  the  Danville  College  for 
Young  Ladeis  was  organized,  and  built,  and  started  on 
its  career  of  usefulness.  Randolph  Macon  College  also 
had  in  him  a  generous  friend,  and  we  know  of  no  better  way 
in  which  this  can  be  told,  than  the  following  letter  of  Capt. 
Richard  Irby,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  College,  written 
to  Mrs.  Sutherlin,  a  short  time  after  her  husband's  death. 

[87] 


Mrs.  W.  T.  SufJierlin,  Danville,  Va. — Dear  Madam  : — Kan- 
dolph-Macon  College  has  good  cause  to  keep  in  remembrance 
the  name  of  W.  T.  Sutherlin. 

At  a  time  when  it  was  in  great  need,  he  generously  made 
a  donation  of  $300  per  annum  for  five  years  toward  its  cur- 
rent expenses,  thus  enabling  it  to  bridge  over  a  gulf  which 
threatened  its  continuance. 

About  the  same  time,  1872,  he  founded  the  "Sutherlin 
Prize  for  Oratory."  The  medals  given  as  prizes  in  the  con- 
test, annually  held  since,  are  now  owned  by  some  of  the  firrt 
men  of  letters  and  public  life  in  the  South. 

Yours  very  truly, 
(Signed)  Eichard  Irby, 

Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

In  concluding  this  brief  sketch  of  a  valuable  life,  in  which 
even  the  greater  events  of  his  career  are  but  cursorily  men- 
tioned, leaving  untouched  hundreds  of  other  things  of  which 
he  was  the  promoter,  as  well  as  benefactor,  the  reader  can- 
not fail  to  be  impressed  Avith  the  grandest  feature  in  his 
character,  which  was  usefulness.  It  was  said  of  Goldsmith 
that  he  touched  many  things,  and  ornamented  everything 
he  touched.  With  equal  propriety,  it  may  be  said  of  the 
subject  of  this  Memoir  ;  that  whatever  he  undertook  was 
useful,  and  whatever  he  touched  he  improved.  Major 
Sutherlin,  although  possessing  a  master  mind,  was  free 
from  the  idiosyncrasies  and  weaknesses  that  often  mar  the 
brightest  geniuses.  His  mind  did  not  move  spasmodically, 
but  was  at  all  times  alert  and  penetrating.  His  power  of 
concentration  was  intense.  "His  thoughts  never  broke 
ranks,"  nor  his  ideas  straggled  from  the  line  of  march  his 
mind  had  mapped  out.  For  his  age  he  was  the  most  prog- 
ressive of  men. 

[38] 


He  used  the  past  only  to  read  the  future.  His  interest  in 
current  events  was  surpassing,  and  liis  mind  like  a  mer- 
chant's ledger,  was  posted  up  to  the  very  last  date,  with  every 
thing  going  on  at  home  and  abroad.  His  mind  was  com- 
prehensive, and  was  stored  with  a  vast  supply  of  common 
sense,  which  was  the  source  of  great  ready  wit,  whenever 
occasion  demanded  it.  As  an  instance  of  this, when  the  Com- 
mittee of  Nine  met  in  Washington  to  prepare  an  address  to 
"the  powers  that  be,"  they  had  a  very  difficult  undertaking 
before  them.  If  the  address  should  be  made  too  plain,  they 
were  fearful  of  giving  offense,  if  too  obscure,  they  ran  the 
risk  of  being  misunderstood.  Major  Sutherlin  who  was  a 
natural  born  diplomat  solved  the  difficulty,  by  drawing  up  a 
paper,  embodying  the  idea  sought  after.  Two  of  the  gen- 
tlemen on  the  Committee,  if  not  more,  were  graduates  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  and  one  of  them  remarked,  "Major, 
you  have  hit  the  idea  exactly,  but  the  grammar  is  incorrect." 
To  which  he  instantly  rejoined  "If  a  plain  farmer  like  my- 
self can  furnish  the  idea,  it  certainly  seems  that  two  gradu- 
ates of  the  University  ought  to  be  able  to  supply  the  lan- 
guage." 

Major  Sutherlin  was  eminently  practical  in  his  views 
and  methods,  and  in  the  execution  of  his  plans,  he  evinced 
the  firm  purpose  of  a  determined  and  resolute  man.  Al- 
though he  was  a  brave  man,  possessing  the  courage  of  his 
convictions,  he  was  broad,  charitable  and  liberal  in  his 
opinions  ;  a  cautious  and  sagacious  counsellor.  He  was 
seldom  impulsive,  but  was  persistent,  and  capable  of  sus- 
tained effort.    He  was  too  broad  to  be  a  bigot;  too  intelli- 


gent  to  be  a  zealot,  and  too  rich  and  generous  in  his  nature 
to  be  revengeful.  He  may  have  had,  and  perhaps  did  have 
enemies,  but  this  fact  could  only  be  learned  from  them,  as 
he  never  spoke  of  them  in  terms  whose  severity  would  reveal 
them.  His  treatment  of  political  adversaries,  was  most 
magnanimous.  He  never  criticised  them  harshly,  but  always 
paid  them  that  measure  of  respect  due  to  one  whose  opinions 
differed  from  his  own.  As  a  leading  citizen  of  his  section 
he  served  many  from  whom  no  return  could  be  anticipated. 
He  was  a  wise  man,  and  in  all  the  fierce  conflicts  of  party 
war-fare  ''never  lost  his  head."  In  debate  he  was  powerful, 
and  when  he  had  fully  fortified  his  positions,  it  seemed  well 
nigh  impossible  to  dislodge  him.  Like  the  late  Governor, 
Jno.  M.  Morehead,  of  North  Carolina,  whom  he  resembled 
in  many  respects,  the  crowning  feature  of  his  life,  as  we 
have  before  stated,  was  usefulness.  He  was  useful  to  the 
community  in  which  he  lived,  useful  to  his  county,  his  State, 
his  family  and  his  friends.  As  an  adviser  and  counselor, 
he  was  pre-eminent,  possessing  a  sound  judgment,  and  a  clear 
insight  into  human  nature,  whose  correctness  was  well  nigh 
infallible.  His  mind  was  a  vast  store-house  of  valuable  in- 
formation, garnered  by  years  of  close  and  deep  reflection. 
All  his  great  powers  were  at  the  service  of  the  humblest  of 
his  friends. 

In  the  home  circle  the  character  of  Majok.  Sutheelin 
shown  resplendently.  He  was  a  kind  husband,  a  most  af- 
fectionate parent,  and  the  hospitable  host. 

What  was  said  of  another  may  be  fittingly  said  of  him. 
His  genius  for  affairs  made  monuments  in  the  public  and 

[40j 


business  walks  of  men,  while  his  humanity  made  gratitudes 
among  the  poor,  which  will  follow  like  angels  guarding  him 
to  the  tomb. 

The  personal  appearance  of  Ma.joe  Sutheklin  was  impos- 
ing and  calculated  to  draw  attention  anywhere.  He  was  jast 
six  feet  in  height,  and  was  in  all  respects  well  proportioned 
and  symmetrical.  His  head,  while  not  massive,  was  large, 
and  his  forehead,  high,  and  broad,  a  noble  dome  of  thought. 
His  eyes  were  dark,  luminous  and  beautiful  always.  His 
face  was  an  index  of  the  prevailing  mood  of  his  mind, 
and  heart,  and  was  written  all  over  with  the  pale  cast  of 
thought.  In  many  respects,  it  was  remarkable.  Refine- 
ment and  strength  are  seldom  united  in  the  same  face. 
Indeed,  ruggedness  and  power  by  association  have  almost 
become  synonymous.  The  case  of  Ma.joe  SuTHERLI^Mvas  an 
exception  to  this  general  rule.  Every  line  of  his  strong 
face  was  toned  down  and  softened  by  refinement.  Indeed  it 
may  be  truly  said  of  him, 

"His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elemeots, 

So  mixed  in  him  that  nature  might  stand  up, 

And  say  to  all  the  world.  This  was  a  man." 

It  is  with  an  emotion  of  positive  pain  that  we  ap- 
proach the  closing  scene  of  such  an  immense  career.  Nor 
is  this  feeling  unmixed  with  awe  as  the  curtain  falls,  and 
veils  forever  from  human  sight  the  imposing  presence  of 
our  titanic  friend.  It  is  as  if  a  granite  column  had  given 
way,  which  for  so  many  years  had  borne  like  an  Atlas  with 
seeming  ease  such  colossal  responsibilities.  But  the  fiat 
has  gone  forth.  "Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few 
days  and  full  of  trouble. 


He  Cometh  forth  as  a  flower  and  is  cut  down.  / 
He  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow  and  continueth  not. 

Major  Sutherlin  had  shown  within  the  past  five 
years  that  old  age  was  in  some  slight  degree,  telling  on  him, 
and  periodical  attacks  had  weakened  his  physical  frame 
somewhat,  but  for  the  past  year  his  health  was  good,  his 
physical  condition  improved,  and  his  giant  intellect  unim- 
paired. Only  a  few  days  before  his  death  in  speaking  to  a 
friend,  of  a  contemplated  trip  to  Bedford  county,  he  said  he 
never  felt  better.  Thursday  night,  July  20th,  about  three 
o'clock,  he  had  an  attack  of  what  the  doctors  at  the  time 
believed  to  be  indigestion,  due  to  slight  trouble  with  the  di- 
gestive organs,  but  what  proved  to  be  angina  pectoris  or 
organic  heart  disease,  something  near  akin  to,  or  resemb- 
ling neuralgia  of  the  heart.  This  seemed  to  pass  away  in  a 
short  while,  and  on  Friday  he  was  up. 

A  similar  attack  came  on  Friday  night,  Jnly  21st,  about 
the  same  hour,  and  though  it  was  more  severe  than  the  at- 
tack of  the  previous  night,  it  was  not  thought  to  be  serious, 
and  like  the  other,  would  readily  yield  to  the  physician's 
treatment.  About  2  a.  m.  the  Major  grew  much  worse,  and 
relatives  and  friends  were  sent  for. 

It  was  then  he  expressed  the  opinion  that  he  would  die, 
but  the  doctor  and  his  wife  did  not  think  his  condition  was 
in  any  way  critical,  and  indeed  up  to  within  fifteen  minutes 
of  the  time  of  dissolution  no  one  in  the  room  deemed  that 
a  serious  termination  of  the  attack  was  probable.  About  a 
quarter  to  3  o'clock  the  pains  which  had  been  so  severe  in 
the  chest  and  side  ceased,  but  it  was  evident  that  they  had 


done  their  work,  and  just  at  3  o'clock,  Major  Sutherlin,  in 
the  full  possession  of  his  intellect,  with  every  facult}^  in  full 
play  and  with  a  full  knowledge  of  all  that  was  going  on 
around  him,  quietly,  gently,  peacefully  closed  his  eyes  in 
death. 

His  soul  passed  away  as  peacefully  as  a  little  child  falling 
asleep  in  its  mother's  arms. 

His  death  was  entirely  unexpected,  and  created  a  shock 
of  sadness  and  surprise  throughout  the  city.  At  an  early 
hour  scores  of  sympathising  friends  began  calling  at  his  res- 
idence to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  distinguished 
dead.  Hundreds  of  telegrams  of  condolence  from  his  own 
and  adjoining  States,  were  received  during  the  day.  A 
meeting  of  citizens  was  at  once  called  by  Mayor  Wooding  to 
give  expression  of  the  severe  loss  sustained  by  the  people 
of  Danville,  in  the  death  of  Major  Sutherlin. 

Mayor  Wooding  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  the  members 
of  the  press  were  elected  secretaries. 

On  taking  the  chair,  Captain  Wooding  stated  the  object 
of  the  call  of  the  meeting,  and  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to 
Major  Sutherlin. 

Judge  Cireen  moved  that  a  committee  (the  number  to  be 
fixed  by  the  chair)  be  appointed  to  draw  up  suitable  resolu- 
tions and  present  the  same  to  the  meeting  for  ratification. 

The  chair  appointed  the  following  gentlemeu  as  said  com- 
mittee :  Messrs.  Berryman  Green,  J.  P.  Harrison,  G.  C. 
Cabell,  H.  W.  Cole,  W.  E.  Boisseau,  J.  T.  Watson,  Sr.,  J.  K. 
Jopling,  Daniel  Coleman,  H.  A.  \^'iseman,  J.  N.  Wyllie,  J.  M. 
Neal  and  James  Wood,  Sr. 

[43] 


After  a  short  retirement,  the  committee  returned  and  pre- 
sented the  following  resolutions  through  its  chairman, 
Judge  B.  Green  : 

Whereas,  God  in  His  Providence,  has  again  suddenly 
summoned  from  our  midst  one  of  our  most  prominent  fellow- 
citizens,  we,  the  citizens  of  Danville,  having  met  together  in 
response  to  the  call  of  the  Mayor  to  give  due  expression  to 
our  sorrow  as  a  community  and  as  individuals,  do  hum- 
bly bow  in  submission  to  God's  will,  and  recognizing 
in'  the  death  of  Major  AVilliam  T.  Sutherlin  the  loss 
of  one  whose  life  has  been  spent  here,  we  bear  testimony  to 
the  fact,  that  as  Mayor,  Alderman,  and  in  all  the  various  re- 
lations of  public  and  private  life,  he  proved  himself  fore- 
most in  services,  the  value  of  which  will  long  outlive  his 
memory,  and  to  him  we  owe  a  debt  of  lasting  gratitude. 

We  would  especially  emphasize  his  zealous  labor  to  effect 
public  enterprises  to  which  our  city  owes  much  of  its  pros- 
perity, and  at  the  same  time  his  never  failing  hospitality 
and  courtesy  so  graciously  shown  to  strangers  in  our  midst 
at  his  handsome  home. 

Finally,  we  deeply  deplore  the  death  of  Wm.  T.  Sutherlin 
as  a  loss  not  only  to  his  community,  but  to  our  State  and 
country  at  a  time  when  his  counsels  are  needed  and  the  ben- 
efits of  his  wisdom  much  called  for. 

We  reverently  tender  to  his  bereaved  family  our  sorrow- 
ing sympathy. 

After  the  reading  of  the  resolutions,  Mr.  Harrison  said  it 
gave  him  pleasure  to  second  the  resolutions,  and  he  desired 
to  lay  especial  weight  upon  one  or  two  points  of  Major 
Sutherlin's  character,  that  all  present  would  endorse  as 
true  of  him,  and  all  might  well  imitate. 

In  the  first  place,  as  a  man  he  possessed  one  crowning- 
virtue  ;  he  did  not  bear  malice  however  vigorous  and  bitter 
the  contest,  and  because  of  his  prominence  he  was  engaged 
in  many.    The  speaker  from  observation  and  experience 

[44] 


could  testify  tliat  after  the  fight  was  over,  whether  Major 
SuTHERLiN  was  the  victor  or  was  vanquished  he  forgot  all 
the  bitterness,  and  burying  the  past  would  stand  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  his  recent  opponent.  He  was  a  foe  worthy 
of  any  man's  steel,  and  in  nothing  does  he  deserve  our  praise 
and  remembrance  more  than  in  this. 

In  the  next  place  he  was  public  spirited,  and  always  kept 
open  house  at  his  hospitable  home  to  entertain  prominent 
people  who  visited  Danville,  in  this,  as  a  city,  we  shall 
miss  him  more  than  we  would  miss  any  other  citizen.  Re- 
cently when  Gov.  McKinney  and  his  staff  came  to  Danville  to 
meet  President  Davis'  remains,  Major  Sutherlin  came  to 
the  depot  with  his  carriage  and  took  the  Governor  and  his 
staff  to  his  house  ;  no  one  else  did  so.  This  was  character- 
istic, and  no  man  can  tell  how  much  in  this  way  he  did  for 
his  city.  We  hope  there  are  those  here  upon  whom  his 
mantle  may  fall. 

Finally,  Major  Sutherlin  is  not  only  a  loss  to  us  as  men 
and  as  citizens  of  Danville,  nor  even  to  Yii'ginia,  whose 
Lieutenant  Governor  by  common  acceptance  he  bid  fair  to  be 
but  for  his  untimely  death,  but  to  the  whole  country.  To 
him,  more  than  to  any  other,  is  due  the  insertion  in  the 
Democratic  platform  at  Chicago,  of  the  plank  removing  the 
tax  upon  State  Banks.  It  was  his  pet  scheme.  I  heard 
him  expound  it  in  his  speech  at  Chatham,  and  confess  I  bp- 
came  a  thorough  convert.  He  was  to  have  spoken  by  spe- 
cial invitation  at  Bedford  City  next  Monday,  on  this  all  im- 
portant topic,  and  was  busy  preparing  himself  for  the 
occasion.  His  death  at  this  crisis  is  a  public  loss  to  our 
whole  country. 

I  must  heartily  second  these  resolutions.  I  have  said 
this  much  as  due  to  his  memory,  and  deserving  of  your  im- 
itation. 

After  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Harrison,  Mr  Montague  arose 
and  said  : 

Mr.  Chairman: 


[45] 


I  desire  to  accentuate  another  manifestation  of  the  admir- 
able trait  of  Major  Sutherlin's  character  just  spoken  of  by 
Mr.  Harrison. 

The  same  generous  fellowship  that  made  the  lamented 
dead  so  abound  in  hospitality,  made  him  a  ready  and 
staunch  friend  of  young  men.  For  I  do  not  think  the  great 
observation  of  Bacon  that  the  old,  in  order  to  retain  their 
youth,  should  associate  with  the  young,  was  a  controlling- 
factor  in  determining  Major  Sutherlin  in  forming  so  many 
acquaintances  and  friends  among  the  young  men  of  this  city 
and  country.  But  on  the  contrary  it  was  due  to  the  callings 
of  a  nobler  principle.  It  was  due  to  his  catholic  sympathy, 
liis  broad  and  deep  humanity,  and  the  buoyant  vigor  of  his 
progressive  intellect.  He  was  no  IrDulafor  ieni'poris  act). 
The  past  was  memorable  and  dear  to  him  ;  but  the  future 
most  thought  of  and  most  valued  by  him.  He  was  a  man 
of  action.  And  in  this  future  did  he  see  the  opportunities 
for  the  doing  of  deeds,  the  field  for  the  oper  ition  of  the 
masterful,  constructive  qualities  of  his  make  up  He  was 
hopeful  ;  never  despairing.  So  he  stood  naturally  and  gladly 
in  the  ranks  of  the  young  men  in  his  older  days.  And 
he  stood  in  those  ranks  rather  as  a  wiser  and  cheering  com- 
rade, than  as  a  censor  or  carping  critic.  To  the  young  man 
trudging  the  hills  of  life's  roadway,  Major  Sutherltn  al- 
ways shouted  the  lusty  shout  of  cheer  and  hope,  and  oftener 
than  is  commonly  known  to  the  earnest  struggler  he  lent  an 
Herculean  hand  of  help.  But  when  the  hill  was  mounted 
his  hand  was  steadying,  and  his  wisdom  was  temperative. 

1  must  observe,  before  taking  my  seat,  upon  one  strong 
quality  of  Major  Sutherlin's  strong  intellect.  He  was  a 
great  adviser.  For  a  man  of  educational  opportunities,  so 
limited  in  early  life,  his  powers  of  analysis  were  almost  phe- 
nomenal. He  was  the  most  earnest  and  patient  listener  I 
ever  conversed  with  He  absorbed  statements  of  facts  with 
method,  accuracy  and  rapidity.  His  discernment  was  most 
acute.  And  his  judgment  upon  any  given  proposition  was 
rarely  at  fault. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Danville  has  lost  a  most  remarkable  man, 

m 


and  public  spirited  citizen  ;  our  common  country,  a  sincere 
patriot ;  and  his  friends,  a  strong,  sympathetic  and  helpful 
companion. 

Judge  Berryman  Green  also  spoke  of  the  many  good  qual- 
ities of  Ma.toe  Sutherlin,  and  in  giviog  an  analysis  of  his 
character,  said  Danville  had  lost  its  best  citizen,  and  the 
greatest  intellect  the  town  had  ever  produced.  As  one  who 
knew  his  worth,  he  mourned  his  loss.  Hon  Geo.  C.  Cabell 
also  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  Major  Sutherlin's  char- 
acter and  usefulness,  and  said  he  feared  his  loss  could  never 
be  replaced.  Touching  remarks  were  also  made  by  Messrs. 
James  Wood,  and  J.  R.  Jopling. 

Senators  Hunton  and  Daniel,  the  one  by  telegraph,  and  the 
other  by  letter,  also  bore  testimony  to  Major  Sutherlin's 
cliaracter  as  follows  : 

Mrs.  W.  T.  Sutherlin  km  deeply  distressed  at  the  death 
of  your  distinguished  husband.  We  have  been  warm  friends 
for  thirty  years.  He  was  able,  patriotic,  generous,  and  brave. 
Virginia  has  lost  one  of  her  best,  and  ablest  sons,  his 
community  its  leading  citizen.  The  poor  a  generous  bene- 
factor, and  his  family  its  devoted  head.  Accept  condolence 
from  one  who  knew  him  well,  and  loved  him. 

Eppa  Hunton. 

I  enjo3xd  a  most  agreeable  acquaintance  with  Major  Wm. 
T.  Sutherlin,  and  he  was  so  well  informed  on  all  public 
questions,  that  his  conversation  was  always  interesting  and 
profitable.  A  short  time  before  his  death,  I  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  a  visit  from  him  at  my  home,  in  Lynchburg,  and  was 
impressed  with  the  vigor  and  gr^sp  of  his  mind,  and  with 
the  fullness  of  information  with  which  he  discussed  matters 
now  engaging  public  attention.    From  his  eager  interest  in 


economic  affairs.  I  anticipated  most  advantageous  results  to 
our  State. 

Major  Sutherlin  was  one  of  our  most  enlightened  and 
public  spirited  citizens.  The  energy  and  sagacity  with 
which  he  prosecuted  whatever  commanded  his  attention  in- 
sured success,  and  his  ability  was  such  that  he  would  have 
made  his  mark  in  any  legislative  or  public  body.  The  great 
interest  that  he  took  in  agricultural  and  economic  affairs 
gave  him  much  influence,  and  his  loss  will  be  deplored,  not 
only  in  the  community  where  he  lived,  but  throughout  the 
State  whicii  profited  by  his  counsel  and  services. 

I  mourn  the  death  of  Major  Sutherlin.  not  only  as  a 
friend,  but  also  as  a  leading  citizen  whose  life  was  most  use- 
ful to  the  State. 

Jno.  W.  Daniel, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Those  who  had  known  Major  Sutherlin  intimately  as 

pastors  and  friends,  also  contributed  willing  and  generous 

testimonials  to  the  w^orth  of  thier  departed  friend,  as  will  be 

seen  from  the  following  letter  : 

I  esteem  it  a  very  precious  personal  privilege  to  have  a 
small  space  in  a  mem  )rial  volume  of  the  life  and  character 
of  so  true  a  man,  and  faithful  a  friend,  as  Major  Wm.  T. 
Sutherlin. 

Our  friendship  began  at  the  session  of  the  Virginia  Con- 
ference, 1865,  when  I  was  so  kindly  and  generously  enter- 
tained as  his  guest,  and  by  appointment  became  his  pastor. 

To  him,  through  the  blessing  of  the  Great  Head  of  the 
church,  I  was  largely  indebted  for  whatever  of  success  at- 
tended my  pastorate  of  three  years  in  the  city  of  Danville. 
His  active  co-operation,  his  wise  counsel,  and  his  princely 
contributions  of  money  and  land,  enabled  the  Methodist 
brethren  and  friends  to  move  from  their  old  dilapidated 
church  building  at  the  corner  of  Wilson  and  Lynn  streets, 
and  establish  themselves  in  the  large  new  house  of  worship 


on  Main  street.  To  this  church  extension  enterprise  he 
gave  thousands  of  dollars  and  no  little  of  valuable  time  and 
judicious  supervision.  While  Danville  Methodism  owes 
very  much  to  many  others  for  her  wonderful  growth,  and 
development,  to  Bro.  Sutheelin  not  a  little  is  due  for  the 
magnificent  results  of  the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  We  are 
profoundly  thankful  that  his  work  abides  in  the  helpful  in- 
vestments he  made  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church.  He 
was  passionately  devoted  to  the  Methodist  church,  and  that 
devotion  so  provoked  adverse  comment  as  to  occasion  suf- 
feriog  of  which  few  had  knowledge.  He  endured  no  little 
that  he  might  advance  his  church  to  the  front  place  occupied 
by  sister  churches  of  other  denominations. 

He  was  a  remarkably  liberal  man,  ever  giving  privately 
and  publicly,  aiding  in  benevolent  enterprises,  relieving  the 
personal  need  and  distresses  of  the  suffering  poor,  espec- 
ially ministering  to  tbe  widows  and  orphans.  Yet  he  was 
wisely  discriminating  in  his  benefactions,  and  therefore  was 
sometimes  wounded  by  the  unkind  and  unfriendly  criticisms 
of  those  whom  he  refused.  How  often  it  could  have  been 
written  of  him,  he  ''delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the 
fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to  help.  The  blessing  of 
him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon  him,  and  he  caused 
the  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy." 

In  his  home  life  he  was  almost  faultless  as  husband  and 
father.  In  reviewing  three  years  of  intimate  association, 
memory  fails  in  noting  an  unkind,  unpleasant  look,  word  or 
tone  in  the  happy  Christian  home  of  Bro.  Sutherlin,  where 
his  pastor  and  friend  had  freely,  and  fully,  the  right  of  way 
at  all  times.    There  were  no  scenes  in  that  home. 

Nature  favored  him  with  mental  endowments  far  above 
ordinary — not  brilliant,  but  strong  and  vigorous  and  extra- 
ordinarily resourceful  He  was  in  almost  every  instance 
fully  equal  to  the  expected  and  unexpected  demands  made 
upon  him  in  the  various  relationships  of  business  and  po- 
litical life.  His  ability  to  manage  successfully  large  and 
complicated  business  interests,  and  to  control  men,  was  a 
continual  surprise  to  his  friends  and  neighbors  who  knew 

[49] 


of  the  comparative  meagreness  of  his  early  advantages.  At 
no  time  was  he  untrue  to  his  gifts,  but  ever  utilized  them 
for  their  enlargement,  ami  his  increasing  usefulness.  ' 

He  knew  men  thoroughly,  and  with  a  will  of  unusual 
power,  he  influenced  them  as  opportunity  offered  and  occas- 
ion required.  A  man  of  strong  character,  he  was  devotedly 
loved  by  his  friends,  and  most  strangely  misunderstood  by 
those  who  disliked  him,  because  they  could  not  use  ]jim, 

I  have  nothing  to  regret  in  the  many  years  of  our  broth- 
erly love  and  intercourse,  save,  that  I  was  not  more  helpful 
to  the  one  who  had  so  greatly  blessed  one  with  his  friend- 
ship. AV.  W.  Duncan. 

The  best  view  point  as  both  to  clearness  and  comprehen- 
siveness, from  which  to  study  the  life  and  character  of  an 
individual,  is  that  of  the  family.  Among  those  next  best, 
especially  where  the  individual  is  active  and  prominent  in 
church  matters,  is  the  pastoral  relation.  Such,  from  the 
intimate  association  herein  assured,  is  the  nearness  of  view, 
and  such  the  many  sidedness  of  view  that  a  pastor's  estimate 
of  a  person  is  worthy  of  high  rank  among  those  factors  that 
make  up  the  judgment  as  to  what  he  is  or  was.  It  is  as  his 
pastor  at,  and  for  some  time  before,  Major  Sutherlin's 
death  that  I  speak  of  some  of  the  salient  features  of  his 
character,  and  as  these  features  appeared  to  me. 

Among  the  first  things  that  impressed  me,  an  impression 
deepening  as  I  knew  him  better,  was  that  Major  Sutherlin 
had  a  brain  of  unusual  size,  and  of  superior  quality.  His 
mental  grasp  was  strong,  his  perceptions  acute,  and  his 
vision  clear.  He  had  an  unusual  amount  of  common  sense. 
Upon  many  subjects  lie  was  an  oracle.  Knowing  him,  no 
one  had  need  to  be  told  tliat  he  was  a  leader  among  men. 

Major  Sutherlin's  public  spiritedness  was  prominent,  yea, 
as  a  mountain  among  hills,  overshadowing.  Whatever  con- 
cerned his  country,  his  State,  his  section,  his  city,  his  neigh- 
bor and  friend,  concerned  him.  Exempted  by  his  simple 
means,  particularly  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  from  con- 

[50] 


stant  business,  he  gave  more  time  to  the  interests  of  others, 
than  to  his  own  successes,  numerous,  and  of  every  kind, 
many  political,  many  in  connection  with  the  building  np  of 
the  material  interests  of  his  State  or  section,  many  of  ad- 
justing difficulties  between  neighbors,  or  of  helping  a  friend 
out  of  financial  straits,  owe  their  being  to  him. 

The  hospitality  of  Ma.joe  Sutheelin  was  large  and  gener- 
ous. A  traveller  relates  that  in  Bokhara,  he  saw  a  great 
building,  the  gates  of  which  were  open,  and  fastened  back 
to  the  walls  with  large  nails.  The  house  had  not  been  shut 
night  or  day  for  a  hundred  years.  All  who  came  were  am- 
ply entertained  by  the  hospitable  owner.  This  descripiton, 
in  all  of  its  essential  features,  was  equally  applicable  to 
Major  Sutherlix's  princely  home.  To  his  many  guests  his 
bearing  was,  what  is  mine  is  thine. 

In  the  family,  as  a  husband  and  father,  or  grand-father, 
Major  Sutherlin  impressed  me  as  unusually  considerate 
and  devoted.  What  a  wealth  of  affection  there  was,  ready 
to  be  expended  as  their  welfare  might  demand !  I  can  well 
believe  that  m  a  married  life  for  nearly  forty-four  years,  not 
a  speck  of  cloud  ever  marred  the  sunshine  of  a  loving  com- 
munion with  her  whose  heart  beat  to  his  heart  in  sorrow  as 
in  joy,  in  conflict  as  in  triumph.  And  what  tenderness,  yea, 
more  than  woman's  tenderness,  he  alwavs  evinced  to  his 
grand-daughter,  the  light  of  his  eyes !  Upon  the  Wcdls  of 
my  memory,  painted  in  colors  that  fade  not,  are  heart-felt 
pictures  of  that  sweet  home  life. 

As  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  Major  Sutherlin, 
I  am  assured,  was  in  the  early  days  of  Danville,  its  foremost 
man,  the  author  of  a  larger  and  broader  policy  in  church 
work,  which  proved  so  fruitful  of  good.  When  I  first  knew 
him,  he  was  still  the  all-hearted  man  of  his  earlier  life,  still 
ready  for  every  good  word  and  work.  The  crucial  period 
of  many  a  great  enterprise  lool^ed  not  to  him  in  vain.  He  was 
wise  in  council,  and  of  great  breadth  of  view.  In  ad.vocat- 
ing  the  liberal  support  of  his  pastor,  he  once  made,  in  my 
hearing,  a  remark  that  deserved  to  be  written  in  letters  of 
gold.    "When  I  cannot  take  good  care  of  my  preacher,  I 

[olj 


shall  take  in  my  sign  at  home."  Bountiful  living  and  large 
expenditures,  at  home,  did  not,  in  his  judgment,  comport  with 
a  niggardly  support  of  the  church. 

As  a  Christian,  Majok  Sutheelin  was  a  man  of  the  finest 
impulses.  The  trend  of  his  life  was  upward.  If  at  any 
time  through  business,  or  other  cares,  there  were  deflertions 
or  less  religious  action,  he  took  noble  revenge  upon  such 
states  by  being  more  earnest  afterwards.  It  was  to  be  ex- 
pected that  a  man  of  his  type,  would,  in  his  large  and  varied 
contact  with  men,  have  now  and  then  antagonisms. 
But  here,  as  elsewhere,  he  was  a  broad  guage  man.  He  was 
above  petty  spite  and  rancor  There  was  observable  a  sin- 
gular freedom  from  bitterness,  as  he  talked  to  me  incident- 
ally of  some  of  those  old  experiences.  Children,  who  in- 
stinctively recognized  worth,  were  devotedly  attached  to 
Major  Sutheelin.  His  religion  was  of  a  practical  turn  The 
poor  found  in  him  the  warmest  and  most  helpful  friend. 
He  made  many  a  ''widow's  heart  sing  for  joy.'. 

He  highly  valued  prayer.  "Let  us  pray  together,  before 
you  leave,"  not  in  a  cold  and  perfunctory  spirit,  but  with 
warmth  and  genuine  interest,  often  fell  upon  my  ears.  If 
one's  favorite  hymns  are  suggestive  of  creed  and  character, 
then  such  favorite  hymns  with  him  as  "Jesus  lover  of  my 
soul,"  "Rock  of  Ages,"  "How  firm  a  foundation,"  etc.,  hold 
out  before  us  the  correctness  of  his  belief,  and  at  the  same 
time  his  trust  in  Christ  as  his  full,  and  all-sufficient  Saviour. 
I  am  thoroughly  assured  that  when  the  Master  called  him, 
he  was  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Take  him  all  around,  Majoe  Suj  herein  was  a  remarkable 
man.  His  loss  is  humanly  speaking,  irreparable.  The  writer 
accounts  himself  happy  in  having  enjoyed  intimate  fellow- 
ship with  Major  Sutherlin.  While  memories  of  him  are 
tender  and  precious,  Hope  distinctly  whispers  that  one  of 
the  richest  unfoldings  of  the  future  will  be  the  renewal  of 
that  communion  in  the  glorious  home  above. 

J.  S.  Hunter. 


At  a  session  of  the  Yirginia  Annnal  Conference,  held  in 
Petersburg,  November,  1892,  I  first  formed  the  acquaintance 
of  Major  Sutherlin,  whom  I  had  Tnown  for  years  by  repu- 
tation as  a  wealthy  and  very  influential  citizen  of  Danville, 
and  of  his  native  State.  Commanding  in  appearance,  with 
force  marked  in  every  line  of  his  striking  features,  he  then 
impressed  me  that  he  was  one  fitted  for  leadership,  a  very 
Saul  among  men,  from  the  shoulders  upwards  taller  than  his 
fellows.  From  that  Conference  I  was  sent  to  Danville,  as  a 
pastor,  when  his  carriage  met  me  at  the  depot  and  conveyed 
me  to  his  beautiful  home,  which  ever  afterward  I  entered 
as  liis  firm  friend,  and  welcome  guest.  When  I  last  entered 
it,  my  beloved  brother  had  left  earthly  scenes  for  a  brighter 
and  more  beautiful  Home  in  the  skies. 

Maj.  Sutherlin  was  a  man  of  unusually  high  endowments, 
so  much  so,  that  it  is  doubtful,  if  in  natural  vigor  of  intellect, 
he  had  a  superior  in  the  State.  He  was  a  wise,  rather  than 
a  brilliant  man.  Clear  in  his  conception,  (and  perception), 
patient  and  thorough  in  investigation,  remarkably  accurate 
in  his  conclusions,  forcible  and  convincing  in  argument,  con- 
servative and  reliable  in  his  opinions,  he  was  fitted  for  the 
gubernatorial  chair,  and  would  have  graced  the  Senate 
chamber  of  the  United  States.  These  qualities,  added  to 
an  integrity  that  no  temptation  could  successfully  assail, 
enabled  him  forcibly  to  impress  himself  upon  his  associates, 
acd  command  their  highest  respect.  He  easily  ranked 
among  the  first  citizens  of  his  State,  and  for  his  own  com- 
munity, perhaps,  no  other  ever  did  so  much  to  advance  its 
material  interests.  Danville  owes  to  him  a  debt  it  can  never 
repay,  and  Yirginia  unites  in  the  obligation,  for  the  services 
he  rendered,  the  contributions  he  raade  to  city  and  State, 
by  his  energy,  his  liberality,  his  far-sighted  and  progessive 
ideas. 

The  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  fellow-citizens, 
is  partially  shown  by  the  ofiices  of  trust  and  honor  to  which 
they  voluntarily  called  him.  Mayor  of  his  town,  State  Legis- 
lator, member  of  the  State  Secession  Convention,  Bank  and 
Railroad  President,  and  Director,  President  of  State  Agri- 


cultural  Society,  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture, 
member  of  the  Virginia  Board  of  Public  Works.  All  these 
places  he  filled  with  credit  to  himself,  and  honor  to  his 
constituents.  In  addition  to  these,  the  distinguished  services 
he  rendered  on  the  celebrated  Committee  of  Kine,  in  the 
dark  reconstruction  days,  should  cause  every  citizen  of  the 
Old  Dominion  to  revere  his  memory,  and  write  as  his  epitaph, 
"Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.' 

Major  Sutheelin  was  ever  the  warm  friend  of  liberal  ed- 
ucation. He  was  largely  instrumental  in  building  the  Dan- 
ville College  for  Young  Ladies,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
Trustte  of  Randolph  Macon  College,  contributing  liberally 
to  its  endowment  fund,  and  also  establishing  the  Sutherlin 
Prize  Medal  for  Oratory. 

But  the  character  of  the  man  was  far  greater  than  his 
services  as  here  recorded.  He  had  a  heart  of  pure  gold. 
His  cordial  hospitality  welcomed  with  equal  warmth  to  his 
palatial  home,  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States,  and 
the  poorest  visitor.  His  courtesy  to  the  humble  was  marked 
and  unvarying.  His  contributions  to  relieve  the  indigent 
and  distressed,  were  frequent  and  large.  No  cry  for  aid 
could  reach  his  ear  from  the  deserving,  that  did  not  arouse 
the  sympathy  of  his  generous  heart. 

But  the  trae  man  could  only  be  know^i  by  those  who  par- 
ticipated in  his  home  life.  How  cordial  his  greeting,  how 
unstinted  his  hospitality.  He  could  welcome  the  coming, 
but  was  from  very  nature  reluctant  to  "speed  the  parting 
guest."  We  enter  the  domestic  shrine  with  unaffected  dif- 
fidence and  sincere  reverence.  We  may  hold  supended,  but 
for  a  moment  the  curtaiu  of  the  Holy  of  Holies,  for  how  can 
we  speak  of  his  devotion  to  his  cherished  wife,  who  for  so 
many  long  years  was  the  worthy  help-meet  and  trusted 
friend  and  adviser  of  this  great  man  ?  How  can  we  speak 
of  his  ardent  love  for  the  daughter,  whose  funeral  service  it 
was  our  sad  duty  to  conduct,  Mrs.  Francis  Lee  Smith,  one 
of  the  most  beautiful,  amiable  and  accomplished  women  we 
have  ever  known.  How  tell  how  the  tendrils  of  his  heart 
twilled  about  his  darling  grand-daughter,  the  lovely  child  of 


a  noble  mother  ?  These  are  themes  too  sacred  for  the  pub- 
lic gaze.  We  may  only  say,  his  home  was  more  tlian  the 
abode  of  wealth  and  luxury,  it  was  a  reflection  of  heavenly 
love,  peace  and  happiness. 

Of  the  Methodist  church,  in  Danville,  Major  Sutheelin 
may  justly  be  called  the  father.  Even  before  he  was  a  pro- 
fessing Christian,  he  secured  the  first  Methodist  minister 
who  ever  held  a  pastorate  in  the  town,  and  under  his  preach- 
ing the  Major  was  converted  in  1855.  In  his  Christian 
character  he  was  not  demonstrative  nor  intrusive,  but  he 
was  sincere,  and  his  feet  were  firmly  planted  on  the  Eock  of 
Ages.  From  the  year  of  his  conversion,  until  the  day  of  his 
death,  the  church  was  dear  to  his  heart.  He  evinced  his 
interest  by  deed  and  word,  by  cheerful  liberality,  by  active 
effort,  by  fervent  prayer.  Main  Street  and  Mount  Vernon 
church  both  record  his  generous  contributions,  and  his  ear- 
nest zeal  in  their  behalf.  He  died  in  full  membership  in 
the  church  of  Christ,  and  from  its  door  soard  upward  to  his 
eternal  reward. 

He  has  gone,  but  his  infiuence  survives  to  bless  mankind. 
He  is  dearl,  but  the  record  of  his  life  is  ineffaceable  and  im- 
perishable, and  "by  it  he  yet  speaketh."  The  State,  the 
city,  the  church,  each,  has  suffered  what  man  calls  an  irre- 
parable loss,  but  our  consolation  aboundeth  when  we  think 
of  our  dear  frieod  who  has  left  us  for  a  little  while  ;  for 

"Faith  looks  beyond  the  tomb, 
And  Heaven's  bright  portals  sparkle  through  the  gloom." 

*  S.  S.  Lambeth. 

Mount  Vernon,  the  church  in  which  Major  Sutherltn 
held  his  membership,  passed  the  following  resolutions  : 

Whereas,  In  the  Providence  of  God,  Major  W.  T.  Suth- 
ERLIN,  a  member  of  the  Official  Board  of  Mount  Vernon  M. 
E.  church,  South,  and  oue  of  our  Stewards,  departed  this 
life  on  the  morning  of  the  22nd  of  July,  1893. 

Besolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Major  Sutherlin,  our 

[55] 


brother,  the  Board  of  Stewards  has  lost  one  of  its  most  es- 
teemed and  valued  officers ;  our  church  one  of  her  most 
honored  and  respected  members,  our  city  one  of  the  most 
intelligent  and  public  spirited  residents,  and  the  State  of 
Virginia  one  of  her  most  prominent  and  reputable  citizens. 

Resolved,  That  the  death  of  Major  Sutherlin,  so  sudden 
and  unexpected,  was  to  the  members  of  the  church,  and  to 
the  Official  Board,  a  personal  loss  and  grief,  but  to  him,  our 
departed  brother,  ripe  in  life's  work,  and  in  love  of  the 
church  and  membership,  it  was  only  the  beginning  of  a  higher 
and  better  life  with  the  Master  whose  servant  our  brother 
had  been  for  years. 

liesolved,  That  to  the  widow  and  family  of  our  deceased 
brother,  in  this  hour  of  bereavement  and  sore  trial,  we  ex- 
tend our  love  and  sympathy,  and  invoke  upon  them  the  con- 
solation and  support  of  a  dear  Saviour,  who  has  promised 
to  remember  and  care  for  the  widow  and  the  orphans. 

liesolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the  re- 
cords of  the  Official  Board,  and  that  the  Secretary  send  a 
copy  of  these  resolutions  to  our  sister,  the  wife  of  our  de- 
ceased brother. 

(Signed)  Aug.  7th,  1893. 

E.  B.  WITHEES,  ) 

K.  L.  DlBPiELL,  V  Committee. 

J.  H.  SCHOOLFIELD,  j 

The  Masonic  Lodge  also  passed  the  following  touching 
resolutions : 

Headquarters  Dove  Commandery  Knights  Templar, 

Danville,  Ya.,  July  28th.  1893. 

Whereas,  Our  honored  and  beloved  f rater  Sir  Knight, 
W.  T.  Sutherlin,  has  been  removed  from  us  by  death,  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  acknowledge  with  all  humility  the  wis- 
dom and  providence  of  God  in  all  his  dealings  with  us,  and 
bow  in  humble  submission  to  his  divine  will. 


[50] 


Besolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Sir  Knight  Sutherlin,  this 
Commandery  has  lost  one  of  its  most  useful  and  influential 
members.  One  who  was  ever  ready  to  respond  to  the  call 
of  duty,  and  one  who  gave  to  it  freely  the  fall  benefit  of  his 
valuable  experience  and  wisdom. 

Besolved,  That  we  recognize  his  devotion  and  loyalty  to 
the  Masonic  fraternity  in  all  its  departments,  and  especially 
do  we  acknowledge  the  debt  of  gratitude  we  owe  to  him 
for  the  intelligence  with  which  he  planned,  and  the  sagacity 
with  which  he  executed  in  the  years  long  passed,  in  order 
to  establish  the  fraternity  on  a  solid,  financial  basis,  so  that 
it  could  carry  on  the  works  of  philanthropy  and  charity,  for 
wliich  this  fraternity  has  been  noted  in  this  community. 

Besolved,  That  we  respectfully  tender  to  his  family  our 
earnest  and  tender  sympathy,  in  this,  their  hour  of  desola- 
tion. Respectfully  submitted, 

W.  W.  WADDILL. ) 
J.  I.  PRITOHETT,  V  Committee. 
F.  B.  GRAVELY,  ) 
Copy  test,  A.  T.  Barr,  Jr.,  Recorder. 

At  the  regular  stated  communication  of  Roman  Eagle 

Lodge.  F.  &  -A.  M.,  held  in  Masonic  Temple,  Danville,  on 

the  14tli  day  of  August,  1893.  the  following  preamble  and 

resolutions  were  adopted  : 

By  dispensation  of  Providence,  this  Lodge  has  been 
brought  to  mourn  the  death  of  Wm.  T.  Sutherlin,  our  es- 
teemed brother,  who  departed  tliis  life  on  July  22nd,  1893, 
at  the  age  of  seveny-one  years,  three  months  and  fifteen 
days. 

The  many  valuable  public  services  wliich  our  deceased 
brother  rendered  to  his  community  and  his  State,  are  mat- 
ters of  history,  and  as  such  will  receive  due  record,  while 
his  work  and  influence  as  a  Mason,  will  be  commemorated  ' 
in  the  archives  and  traditions  of  our  Lodge. 

On  the  16th  of  May  1844,  brother  Sutherlin  became  a  Mas- 

[57J 


ter  Mason.  From  the  first,  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  his  Lodge,  and  rendered  important  aid  in  the 
building  of  the  temple  now  occupied  by  it.  In  1851,  the 
ground  upon  which  the  temple  stands,  was  deeded  to  the 
Worshijjful  Master  and  Wardens,  to  be  held  by  them  as 
trustees  for  the  Lodge,  our  deceased  brother  being  then  one 
of  the  Wardens,  and  from  that  time  till  his  death,  he  was 
one  of  the  trustees  by  whom  the  property  was  held.  He 
gave  his  sound  judgment  to  its  care  and  management.  In 
his  charities  he  exemplified  the  tenets  of  our  order,  by  ready 
response  to  appeals  for  relief  of  the  needy  and  distressed. 
For  nearly  half  a  century,  he  was  among  the  foremost  in  the 
good  work  of  our  order,  and  now  that  he  has  passed  from 
labor  unto  rest,  as  a  mark  of  our  appreciation  of  his  services 
and  bereavement  at  his  loss,  be  it 

Resolved,  1st.  That  Roman  Eagle  Lodge  deeply  laments 
the  death  of  brother  Wm  T.  Sutherlin,  one  of  its  oldest 
and  most  useful  members,  who  was  wise  in  counsel,  as  he 
was  energetic  and  liberal  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  this 
institution. 

2nd.  That  while  our  deceased  brother  was  zealous  as  a 
Mason,  he  was  also  patriotic  and  public  spirited,  and  we 
recognize  that  the  results  of  his  labors  in  behalf  of  our  or- 
der, our  community  and  our  State,  will  be  a  fitting  monu- 
ment to  his  memory. 

3rd.  That  these  Resolutions  and  Preamble  be  spread  up- 
on the  records  of  this  Lodge,  and  a  copy  thereof  be  sent  to 
the  family  of  our  deceased  brother,  with  the  assurance  of 
our  sincere  sympathy  in  their  affiiction. 

ABNER  ANDERSON,  ) 
H.  W.  COLE,  V  Committee. 

FRANK  S.  WOODSON,  j 
J.  L.  TYACK,  Secretaey. 

On  motion,  the  city  papers  were  requested  to  publish  the 
resolutions,  and  a  copy  be  forwarded  to  the  family  of  the  de- 
ceased. 

On  motion  adjourned. 

[58] 


A  called  meeting  of  the  tobacco  association  was  held  the 
same  afternoon  at  2:45  o'clock,  at  Planter's  warehouse,  and 
was  called  to  order  by  President  James  G.  Penn. 

Mr.  Penn  stated  that  the  association  had  been  called  to- 
gether on  account  of  the  death  of  Major  W.  T.  Sutherlin, 
one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  association,  and  in  order 
that  the  association  could  take  suitable  action  in  regai  d  to 
his  death. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Dudley,  a  committee  of  three,  consisting 
of  Messrs.  O.  W.  Dudley,  E.  H.  Miller  and  D.  J.  Holcombe, 
was  appointed  to  prepare  and  present  suitable  resolutions. 

The  committee  retired,  and  after  a  short  absence  returned 
and  reported  the  following,  which  were  unanimously  adopt- 
ed. 

We  your  committee  appointed  to  draft  suitable  resolutions 
on  the  death  of  Major  W.  T.  Sutherijn,  beg  to  submit  the 
following : 

Whereas,  In  the  providence  of  an  Allwise  God,  death 
has  again  invaded  our  ranks  and  taken  from  as  our  oldest, 
and  one  of  our  most  honored  members.  Major  W.  T.  Suth- 
erlin, who,  although  not  continually  in  the  trade,  has  for 
the  past  forty-seven  years  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  tobacco  industry  of  our  city  and  community,  first  as 
manufacturer,  then  as  planter,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
at  the  head  of  the  Sutherlin  Meade  Tobacco  company,  aud 
recognizing  the  loss  our  trade,  city  and  community  have 
sustained  by  this  visitation  of  Providence,  we,  the  Board  of 
Trade,  desire  to  express  our  deepest  sorrow  at  his  death, 
and  to  this  end  be  it 

Resolved,  1st.  That  we  bow  submissively  to  the  will  of 
God  in  summoning  from  amongst  us  by  the  hand  of  death, 
our  associate,  Major  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  a  leader  whose  judg- 
ment was  sought,  as  a  counselor  wise  and  sagacious,  ever 

m 


willing  and  ready  to  lend  bis  influence  and  energy  for  the 
upbuilding  of  our  trade  and  city,  and  a  helping  hand  to  those 
in  distress. 

2nd.  That  we  tender  to  his  bereaved  family  our  heart- 
felt sympathy  in  his  death,  and  pray  that  God  will  shield 
and  protect  them  in  this  their  sad  affliction. 

3rd.  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  our  records, 
and  the  same  published  in  our  city  papers,  and  resolved 
further,  that  the  trade  attend  the  funeral  in  a  body. 

It  w^as  moved  and  adopted  that  the  members  of  the  trade 
meet  at  the  residence  of  the  deceased  at  5  o'clock  in  the  af- 
ternoon, and  attend  the  funeral  in  a  body. 

The  State  Board  of  Agriculture  resumed  its  session  at  the 
Exchange  Hotel  at  10  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  with  Mr. 
Corbin  in  the  chair.  The  other  members  present  were 
Messrs.  Mallory,  Gaines,  Lyman,  Palmer  and  Commissioner 
Whitehead. 

The  committee  appointed  the  evening  before  to  draft  res- 
olutions touching  the  death  of  the  late  president  of  the 
Board,  Majok  W.  T.  Suthehlin  reported  through  their  chair- 
man, Mr.  H.  Lyman,  as  follows  : 

Your  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolu- 
tion of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our  lamented  late  presi- 
dent, Major  Wm.  T.  Sutheelin,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  re- 
port :  That  the  sudden  announcement  of  the  visitation  of 
Providence,  by  which  our  State  has  been  deprived  of  a  man 
so  thoroughly  in  sympatViy  with  its  agricultural  interests, 
has  filled  us  with  profound  sorrow. 

He  was  a  man  wise  in  t\\e  counsels  of  this  Board  toward 
the  direction  of  measures  for  the  advancement  of  the  agri- 
cultural prosperity  of  each  district,  and  it  ever  seemed  to 
be  his  determined  effort  to  do  everything  which  would  se- 
cure to  any  individual  or  locality  every  benefit  of  improve- 
ment by  which  land  could  be  made  more  valuable,  farm  la- 
bor dignified  and  farm  homes  happier. 

His  genial  disposition  a:iJ  pure  character  impressed  itself 

[GOJ 


upon  all  wlio  came  in  contact  with  liim,  and  especially  did 
it  seem  to  shine  forth  in  his  intercourse  with  the  Board. 

We  grieve  over  the  loss  of  one  of  the  most  able  and  patri- 
otic sons  of  Virginia,  who  had  distinguished  himself  in 
every  sphere  of  useful  endeavor,  the  loss  of  a  highly  appre- 
ciated and  much  cherished  friend,  a  noble  colleague  and  a 
true  Christian  gentleman. 

We  recommend  that  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the 
records  of  this  Board,  and  that  a  copy  be  sent  to  the  be- 
reaved family.  We  further  recommend  that  the  clerk  of  the 
Board  be  instructed  to  furnish  copies  of  these  resolutions  to 
the  press. 

(Signed)       HENEY  L.  LYMAN,  Chairman, 
S.  AYELLFORD  CORBIN, 
EICHAED  V.  GAINES. 
Following  the  reading  of  the  resolution  each  member  of 
the  committee  took  occasion  to  refer  in  tender  and  touching 
terms  to  the  life  and  character  of  their  esteemed  late  presi- 
dent of  tbe  Board.    The  references  to  their  associations 
with  him  in  their  capacity,  and  the  deep  interest  he  had  al- 
ways manifested  in  the  promotion  of  agriculture  of  Virginia 
were  of  the  tenderest  character. 

All  Sunday  morning  and  afternoon  people  poured  into  the 
late  residence  to  take  a  last  look  at  the  dead  as  he  lay  in  the 
casket. 

Long  before  the  time  set  for  the  cortege  to  move  to  the 
church,  people  gathered  on  the  spacious  grounds,  and  in  the 
hallways  at  the  mansion,  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  the  Ma- 
sonic bodies  whom  the  deceased,  when  in  life,  so  much 
honored,  and  who  were  to  take  part  in  the  funeral  obsequies. 

On  the  casket  was  the  following  simple  inscription. 

Majoe  William  T.  Sutherlin. 
Born,  April  7,  1822. 
Died,  July  22,  1893. 

[01] 


A  few  minutes  after  5  o'clock,  the  lid  of  the  casket  was 
drawn,  and  the  face  and  form  of  him  whom  the  people  ad- 
mired, 8nd  who  had  dwelt  so  long  among  them,  were  bid 
from  view  forever,  and  the  casket  borne  to  the  hearse. 

The  march  was  then  taken  up  to  the  church  in  the  follow- 
ing order  : 

Knights  Templar. 

Morotock  and  Roman  Eagle  Lodges  of  Masons. 

Tobacco  Association. 

Pall-bearers  and  flower-bearers. 

Hearse.  - 

Carriages  containing  family  and  friends. 

The  funeral  cortege  was  flanked  on  both  sides  by  a  large 
concourse  of  people.  On  arriving  at  the  church,  the  casket 
was  met  at  the  entrance  to  the  audience  room  by  Rev.  J.  S. 
Hunter,  the  pastor,  assisted  by  Rev.  Dr.  S.  S.  Lambeth, 
Rev.  Dr.  T.  B.  Thames,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  E.  Edwards,  Rev.  C.  B. 
Bryan  and  Rev.  W.  T.  Doggett  The  reverend  gentlemen 
preceded  the  casket  to  the  cliancel,  the  pastor  reading,  "I 
am  the  resui'rection  and  the  life,"  and  as  it  was  deposited  in 
front  of  the  chancel,  the  choir  sang  "How  firm  a  foundation 
ye  saints  of  the  Lord,"  which  was  followed  by  the  reading 
of  the  Scripture  lessons  by  Rev.  Dr.  Edwards. 

Hymn,  "He  Leadeth  Me,"  was  then  sung,  Mrs.  John  N. 
Wyllie  rendering  the  solo  part. 

Rev.  Dr.  T.  B.  Thames  then  offered  a  fervent  invocation 

which  was  followed  by  a  solo  by  Mrs.  G.  G.  Temple,  "I 

Would  Not  Live  Always,"  air.  Home,  Sweet  Home. 

Every  seat  in  the  church  was  occupied,  and  people  crowded 
into  the  aisles. 

[u2] 


Rev.  Dr.  Lambeth,  of  Norfolk,  a  former  pastor  and 
firm  friend  of  the  deceased,  wlio  had  come  on  to  Danville 
on  hearing  of  Majoe  Sutherlin's  death,  arose  and  in  beau- 
tiful language  paid  a  splendid  tribute  to  his  life  and  charac- 
ter. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Forbes  related  several  incidents  in  the  life  of 
Major  Sutherlin,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks,  Rev. 
J.  S.  Hunter  preached  a  short  sermon  from  Lamentations, 
iii,  33  ;    For  he  doth  not  afflict  willingly. 

As  the  choir  sang  "Abide  With  Me,"  the  remains  were 
borne  from  the  church,  the  following  being  the  pallbearers  : 
Knights  Templar  :  G.  K.  Griggs,  E.  H.  Miller.  W.  F.  Pat- 
ton  and  W.  W.  Waddill ;  Master  Masons  :  Robert  Brydon, 
J.  L.  Tyack,  G.  C.  Cabell  and  F.  S.  Woodson. 

The  flower-bearers  were  :  H.  W.  Cole,  T.  J.  Talbott,  John 
H.  Schoolfield,  Wm.  Rison,  D.  Ayres,  W.  T.  Law,  J.  S.  Meade, 
A.  Douthat,  E.  B.  Withers,  F.  M.  Hamlin,  A.  Anderson, 
Judge  B.  Green,  Judge  A.  M.  Aiken,  E.  E.  Bouldin,  J.  M. 
Neal,  P.  W.  Ferrell,  M.  P.  Jordan,  Green  Penn,  C.  C.  Dula, 
J.  T.  Watson,  Sr.,  C.  H.  Hickey,  A.  J.  Montague,  J.  O.  Foy, 
Duval  Porter,  W.  E.  Meade,  P.  Bouldin  and  J.  P.  Harrison. 

Just  as  the  sun  disappeared  behind  the  western  hills,  the 
body  was  lowered  in  the  grave  at  Green  Hill  cemetery  the 
Masonic  ceremonies  closing  the  burial  services. 

The  floral  offerings  were  numerous  and  beautiful,  among 
them  being  Gates  Ajar,  inscribed  my  Uncle  William  ;  Pillow, 
My  Husband  ;  square  and  compass,  Masonic  emblem  ;  h-re 
and  harp. 

A  large  number  of  strangers  were  present,  among  them 

[63] 


being  Colonel  Thomas  Whitehead,  Colonel  J.  S.  Cunning- 
ham, Major  R.  Y.  Gaines  and  H.  G.  Buchanan. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  it  might  be  expected  that  the  press 
would  comment  widely  on  the  death  of  such  a  distiuguished 
citizen  as  Majoe  Sutherlin.  And  so  it  did.  Out  of  many 
hundreds  which  appeared  we  have  only  space  for  a  few  of 
the  leading  ones. 

From  the  Danville  JJaibj  Begisfer  : 

In  the  death  of  Major  Wm.  T.  Sutherlin,  the  South,  Vir- 
ginia, the  city  of  Danville,  and  the  church  of  God  have  sus- 
tained a  loss  not  easily  repaired. 

For  more  than  a  half  a  century  he  had  been  prominent  as 
a  public  spirited  citizen,  a  promoter  of  good  and  a  patriotic 
lover  of  his  country  and  his  people. 

For  more  than  forty  years  Danville  has  been  engnged  in 
no  public  enterprise  of  which  lie  was  not  the  originator  or 
an  active  promoter.  Danville  has  known  no  educational, 
church  or  charitai^le  enterprise  to  which  he  was  not  a  lib- 
eral contributor  of  means,  time  and  talent. 

Though  Major  Sutherlin  had  completed  his  three  score 
years  and  ten,  it  was  frequently  said  of  him  that  in  all 
things  requiring  energy,  sagacity,  public  spirit  and  a  genu- 
ine American  progressiveness,  he  was  the  youngest  man  in 
the  community.  This  was  literally  true,  and  as  his  years 
increased  his  public  spirit  grew  instead  of  diminished. 

His  long  experience  in  public  and  private  business,  his 
unbounded  knowledge  of  men  and  methods,  his  liberal  views, 
his  quick  perception,  capacity  for  getting  at  the  very  bottom 
of  everj^thing,  his  broad  and  never  failing  wisdom,  and  above 

[64] 


all,  liis  kindlT  inclination  to  hold  all  these  powers  at  the 
command  of  his  friends  made  him  a  friend  and  a  gnide  to 
the  struggling  yonng  man,  the  weak  business  enterprise,  the 
feeble  church,  the  cramped  charitable  institution,  that  was 
worth  more  in  the  end  than  a  large  bank  account. 

He  loved  Virginia  and  Danville,  and  his  time  and  talent 
'  were  ever  at  their  command  ;  he  loved  the  people  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  he  served  them  well ;  He  loved  the  church,  and 
in  his  unostentatious  way  he  did  as  much  as  any  one  man  in 
Virginia  or  anywhere  else  to  promote  her  welfare  and  in- 
crease her  usefulness. 

Truly,  the  commonwealth  has  lost  a  noble  son,  this  city 
one  of  its  noblest  and  most  patriotic  citizens,  and  the  church 
a  pillow  of  strength. 

But  the  severest  loss  of  all  is  that  sustained  by  the  loving- 
wife,  who  has  cheerfully  shared  with  him  in  his  early  strug- 
gles and  his  reverses,  and  rejoiced  with  him  in  his  many 
triumphs  and  successes,  and  for  nearly  a  half  century  has  been 
to  him  a  helpmeet  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  term. 

To  her,  and  to  the  devoted  grand-daughter,  the  heartfelt 
sympathy  of  this  community,  which  loved  and  honored 
Majoe  Sutherltn  goes  out. 

From  the  Danville  Evening  Star : 

Our  entire  community  was  inexpressibly  shocked  by  the 
announcement  early  this  morning  of  the  death  of  our  distin- 
guished fellow-citizen,  Major  Wm.  T.  Sutheelix,  which 
occurred  from  angina  pectoris  at  his  residence,  in  this  city, 
at  3  o'clock  this  A.  M.  The  news  of  this  great  public 
calamity  spread  rapidly,  and  the  gloom  which  overshadowed 
every  face  and  the  large  concourse  of  friends  and  admirers  who 
gathered  at  his  doors  with  anxious  inquiries  and  deep  sym- 
pathy, were  in  themselves  the  strongest  testimonial  of  the 
high  esteem  and  respe  t  in  which  the  deceased  was  held  by 
all  classes  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

As  a  man  and  citizen,  Majoe  Sutherlin  was  a  marked 
character,  possessing  many  oi  the  mental  and  moral  attrib- 
utes which  characterize  the  world's  greatest  men.    His  mind 

[05J 


was  suggestive  to  an  extraordinary  degree,  and  at  the  same 
time  far-reaching  and  profound,  while  acute  and  prompt  to 
decide.  He  was  quick  and  ready  in  forming  his  opinions, 
and  bold,  aggressive  and  alert  in  maintaining  them.  He 
wrote  with  great  force  and  clearness,  and  was  an  able  and 
persuasive  speaker.  He  was  ever  keenly  alive  to  his  duties, 
as  a  citizen,  and  ready  to  advance  by  pen,  speech  and  hand 
the  public  interest.  As  a  financier,  he  had  few  equals,  hav- 
ing accumulated  a  large  private  fortune,  and  been  always  a 
leader  in  the  financial  discussions  of  politics.  At  the  very 
time  of  his  death  he  was  preparing  to  address  the  citizens 
of  Bedford  county  on  the  present  financial  condition  of  the 
country,  and  his  views  on  this  subject  have  alw^ays  carried 
weight  in  Virginia. 

In  private  life  he  was  gentle  and  urbane,  generous  and 
hospitable  beyond  any  person  we  have  ever  known,  and  no 
man,  rich  or  poor,  was  ever  without  a  kindly  welcome  in 
his  beautiful  home. 

With  all  these  elements  of  greatness  and  popularity, 
Major  Sutherlin  might  easily  have  secured  the  highest  po- 
litical honors,  but  he  preferred  the  quiet  ways  of  life  and 
the  pleasures  of  home  and  family,  with  acts  of  daily  public 
usefulness,  to  the  turmoil  and  worries  of  ofiice,  and  the  wis- 
dom of  his  choice  is  to  be  found  in  the  grateful  remem- 
brance of  his  fellow-citizens  and  the  tears  and  sorrow  of  the 
many  who  have  been  recipients  of  his  bountiful  generosities. 

Taken  all  in  all  Danville  has  lost  her  leading  and  greatest 
citizen,  and  it  will  be  long,  if  ever,  before  his  place  can  be 
filled. 

To  have  been  followed  to  the  grave  by  so  large  a  number 
of  sorrowing  friends  is  of  itself  proof  sufficiet  that  Major 
Sutherlin  held  a  strong  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people 
of  Danville.  It  seemed  to  have  been  a  proud  privilege  of 
thousands  to  call  him  their  friend.  Major  Sutherlin  died 
in  the  eventide  of  a  happy  and  useful  life,  with  the  setting 
sun  falling  full  and  fair  upon  his  face,  without  a  shadow  of 
regret  to  obscure  its  splendor  as  it  sank  in  a  sea  of  sapphire, 
gleaming  in  its  own  glory,  shooting  level  lances  of  golden 


light  over  the  western  hill-top.  He  had  accomplished  his 
life  work,  filled  the  measure  of  his  earthly  mission.  When  the 
death  angel  touched  his  heart  and  said,  "Peace  be  still,"  he 
was  ready  to  drop  his  weapons  with  which  he  had  fought 
the  battles  of  life,  and  lay  down  to  that  dreamless  sleep.  He 
fell  like  the  autumn  leaves  in  the  winter  of  old  age,  like  the 
ripened  grain  before  the  reaper's  sickle. 
Peace  to  his  ashes,  in  Heaven  rest  his  soul. 

From  the  Eichmond  Dispatch: 

The  death  of  Major  W.  T.  Sutheelin  of  Danville,  is  a  sur- 
prise and  shock  to  the  country.  Though  well  advanced  in 
years,  he  seemed  to  be  in  fair  health,  and  had  made  an  en- 
gagement to  address  a  public  meeting  in  Bedford  on  Monday 
on  the  monetary  situation.  AVe,  ourselves,  were  having  a 
tilt  with  him  on  that  subject,  in  the  friendly  and  candid 
spirit  which  had  cliaracterized  our  intercourse  for  two-score 
years,  and  were  making  ready  to  parry  the  blows  which  we 
knew  he  had  the  ability  to  deliver. 

He  was  a  man  whom  we  esteemed  highly.  His  home  life 
was  beautiful,  and  he  was  one  of  the  most  public  spirited  of 
Virginia's  sons.  In  politics,  business  and  church  work  he 
was  an  active  spirit.  He  had  a  vigorous  mind  and  a  gener- 
ous heart.  He  might  have  seemed  brusque  to  strangers,  but 
that  which  could  have  been  mistaken  for  brusqueness  was 
really  nothing  more  than  directness  of  purpose  and  not  from 
lack  of  consideration  for  the  feeling  of  others. 

He  was  ever  aiming  at  the  development  of  the  resources 
of  this  commonwealth.  Though  possessed  of  a  fortune 
which  was  the  product  of  his  own  energy  and  capacity,  he 
was  not  content  to  be  a  mere  looker-on  in  life.  He  h  id 
served  as  a  legislator,  president  of  the  Agricultural  Society, 
president  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  president  and 
director  of  railroads,  director  on  many  boards,  Ac.,  and 
freely  gave  his  time  and  labor  to  the  public. 

At  his  house  in  Danville,  President  Davis  held  his  last 
Cabinet  meeting.  In  reconstruction  times  the  Major  rend- 
ered this  State  services  of  inestimable  value  as  a  member  of 

[67] 


1 


that  "Committee  of  Nine"  citizens  who  steered  Virginia  out 
of  the  quagmire  of  reconstruction  into  the  Union  again.  In 
the  House  of  Delegates  he  impressed  his  fellow-members 
with  the  breadth  of  his  views,  his  earnest  and  far-seeing  pur- 
pose, and  capacity,  to  consider  and  discuss  nearly  all  of  the 
questions  which  came  before  that  body.  Here  inKichmond 
the  people  knew  him  well.  He  was  one  of  the  best  presi- 
dents the  State  Agricultural  Society  ever  had.  Indeed,  he 
was  a  man  whose  character,  intelligence  and  industry  com- 
manded public  respect,  whilst  his  warm-hearted  sympathies  -  - 
endeared  him  to  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 

Lately  the  name  of  Major  Su  i  heelin  had  been  coupled 
with  the  nomination  for  the  offi.ce  of  lieutenant-governor, 
and  thousands  of  our  Virginia  people  had  felt  that  it  would 
be  a  handsome  thing  for  the  Democratic  party  to  do  to  con- 
fer this  honor  upon  him  who  had  done  so  much  for  it  and 
asked  nothing  of  it.  But  it  was  not  to  be.  Death  came  and 
claimed  him  for  another  sphere,  where,  we  trust  and  be- 
lieve, he  is  enrolled  am  )ng  the  blest. 

From  the  Norfolk  Vinjinian  :  -  - 

In  the  death  of  Major  W.  T.  Sutherlin,  of  Danville,  Virgin- 
ia, suffers  the  loss  of  one  of  her  most  prominent  sons,  and  Dan- 
ville a  most  distinguished  and  public  spirited  citizen. 
Throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  commonwealth 
he  was  known  and  respected.  He  was  a  man  of  the  highest 
type  and  character,  whose  rare  good  sense  rendered  his  ad- 
vice and  judgment  important  in  all  matters  appertaining  to 
the  welfare  of  his  section  or  his  State,  in  business  or  in  po- 
litics.   His  death  will  be  lamented  throughout  the  State. 

From  the  Richmond  State  : 

Danville  and  that  section  of  Virginia  will  miss  Major  W. 
T.  Sutherlin.  He  was  looked  up  to  as  the  leading  citizen. 
It  was  a  responsible  position,  requiring  executive  talent  and 
disinterested  devotion.  Major  Sutherlin  had  both.  The 
man  who  occupies  that  unique  place  as  the  leading  citizen 
in  a  community  has  a  position  of  great  responsibility 

[68] 


From  the  Danville  Times 


In  our  local  columns  we  give  an  account  of  the  death  of 
MajokWm.  T.  Sutheelin. 

A  few  weeks  ago,  while  we  were  at  his  house,  we  well  re-  . 
member  how  sadly  he  said  :  "Bouldin,  there  are  very  few 
of  us  left."  Little  did  we  think  that,  so  soon  he  too  would 
pass  away,  making  the  number  one  less.  Major  Sutheelin 
was  our  friend,  and  although  we  differed  widely  at  times,  on 
public  questions,  it  made  no  difference  with  him ;  his 
friendship  for  us  individu  illy  and  his  support  to  our  paper, 
continued  to  the  Inst. 

Saturday  morning  when  his  manly  form  was  laid  out  for 
the  grave,  as  we  gazed  upon  the  placid  features  of  his  face, 
the  life  and  animation  all  gone,  and  his  voice  hushed  in 
death,  a  spell  of  sadness  came  over  us  such  as  we  have  sel- 
dom experienced  in  this  vale  of  tears. 

Major  Sutherlix  had  a  kind  heart,  and  his  crowning  vir- 
tue was,  (  what  that  of  every  other  man,  who  is  like  him,  is,) 
that  he  made  a  good  husband.  Nor  was  this  kindness  of 
heart  confined  to  his  family  ;  he  was  a  friend  to  the  poor,  and 
helped  a  great  many  people. 

He  was  hospitable  and  entertained  strangers  to  a  greater 
extent,  we  dare  say,  than  any  man  in  Danville. 

He  was  public  spirited,  aiding  in  all  measures  which  were 
calculated  to  build  up  the  town  and  country.  One  thing  has 
struck  us,  and  that  is,  sometimes  when  the  people  of  Dan- 
ville wanted  a  measure  put  through,  and  were  doubtful  of 
success,  they  called  upon  Major  Sutherlin,  and  even  those 
who  didn't  like  him,  joined  in.  What  greater  tribute 
could  be  paid  to  his  talent,  tact  and  energy. 

He  was  not  only  active  in  building  up  the  material  inter- 
ests of  the  country,  but  he  helped  the  cause  of  religion  and 
education.  Among  the  instances  of  his  aid  to  the  latter, 
we  will  mention  the  fact  that  he  encouraged  oratory  by 
awarding  what  is  called  the  "Sutherlin  Medal,"  every  year, 
to  the  best  speaker  at  Randolph  Macon  College. 

He  was  not  a  worshipper  of  the  past,  but  a  man  of  pro- 


gress.  Nor  was  his  a  speculative  mind  :  it  was  eminently 
practical.  The  abstruse  metaphysical  questions  which 
have  perplexed  a  large  portion  of  mankind  from  the  days  of 
Job  down  to  the  present  time,  never  disturbed  him  For 
instance,  the  individual  who  introduced  such  a  question  as, 
how  can  God's  foreknowledc^e  be  reconciled  with  man's  free 
agency,  was  soon  interrupted  by  his  asking,  what  is  Congress 
doing?  or  what  do  the  farmers  say  about  the  tobacco  crop  ? 
His  mind  was  on  the  practical  affairs  of  life. 

Yery  few  persons  ever  got  the  better  of  Major  Sutherlin 
in  debate,  for  the  reason  that,  in  the  first  place,  he  was  a 
m;in  of  ability  and  weighed  his  subject  well  before  he  rose 
to  speak.  Besides,  he  was  very  cautious  and  never  allowed 
his  temper  to  get  the  better  of  him. 

Too  many  persons  tell  the  first  man  they  meet  what  you 
reveal  to  them  in  confidence;  but  Major  Sutherlin  was  not 
that  way.    He  was  the  safest  man  to  talk  to,  we  ever  met. 

The  farmers  of  Virginia  regarded  him  as  a  valuable  friend 
to  their  class,  and  had  he  lived  to  the  17th  of  August  (the 
time  for  the  State  Convention,)  they  would  have  backed  him 
strongly  as  a  candidate  for  Lieutenant  Governor. 

Major  Sutherlin's  value  to  the  community  never  appeared 
to  greater  advantage  than  it  did  S"on  after  the  riot,  when  he 
acted  as  chairman  of  the  "Committee  of  Forty."  We  have 
not  space  to  enlarge  ;  but  many  of  our  readers  remember 
the  important  part  which  he  took  on  that  memorable  oc- 
casion 

There  is,  in  the  life  of  Major  Sutherlin,  much  to  encour- 
age the  poor  young  man  who  is  ambitious  of  success.  When 
he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  hook  he  had  nothing  but 
the  clothes  which  were  on  his  back  and  seventy-five  cents 
in  his  pocket.  His  great  success  was  owing  to  the  fact  he 
wanted  to  succeed  and  had  the  power  of  self-denial. 

The  death  of  such  a  man  is  not  only  a  great  loss  to  Dan- 
ville, but  also  to  the  State  of  Virginia. 

Danville  Southern  Tobacco  Jotirnal  : 

The  Tobacco  Journal  is  called  upon  to  announce  the  sud- 

[70] 


den  death  of  another  prominent  member  of  the  Danville 
Tobacco  Association,  in  the  person  of  Majok  W.  T.  Suther- 
LIN.  This  sad  death  occurred  this  morning  at  his  residence 
on  Main  street  in  this  city  at  3  o'clock. 

Notwithstanding  the  ripe  age  that  Major  Sutherlin  had 
attained,  no  death  that  has  occured  in  our  midst  comes  more 
unexpected  to  the  community,  it  was  indeed  a  shock.  He 
was  yesterday  morning  about  on  the  streets  apparently  in 
usual  health  and  great  activity  for  one  of  his  age.  His  ill- 
ness was  of  a  few  moment's  duration.  It  is  supposed  the 
immediate  cause  of  death  was  heart  failure.  He  was  71 
years  of  age,  was  born  a  few  miles  from  Danville,  April  7th, 
1822. 

Few  men  were  know^n  more  extensively  throughout  the 
South  than  was  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  prompt 
in  every  movement,  christian,  social,  material  or  political, 
that  he  thought  would  advance  the  interests  of  the  South,  • 
and  volumes  of  interesting  and  profitable  reading  matter 
could  be  written  upon  the  character  and  life  of  Major  Suth- 
EELIN,  but  we  will  only  attempt  to  give  our  readers  an  out- 
line of  his  life  as  a  tobacconist. 

When  a  mere  youth  he  was  engaged  in  steaming  tobacco 
in  one  of  the  first  manufactories  started  in  Danville.  After 
clerking  for  a  while,  he  embarked  in  business  on  liis  own 
account  by  procuring  a  one-horse  team  and  peddling  tobacco 
in  the  South.  It  is  said  that  from  the  start  in  those  pioneer 
days  of  tobacco  manufacturing,  he  was  recognized  as  poss- 
essing, in  a  high  degree,  the  qualifications  requisite  for  a 
successful  business  career,  and  was  admitted  a  partner  in  a 
tobacco  manufacturing  firm  about  1845,  and  w^as  continu- 
ously engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business  until  1861.  In 
the  successful  prosecution  of  his  chosen  avocation  he  had 
risen  almost  from  obscurity  to  become  one  of  the  largest 
manufacturers  in  the  South  before  the  war. 

He  has  from  youth  to  old  age  been  connected  with  the  to- 
bacco interests  in  the  capacity  of  grower,  manufacturer  or 
dealer. 

He  was  the  prime  mover  in  the  organization  of  the  Dan- 

[71] 


ville  Storage  AVarehouse,  and  many  other  enterprises  of  the 
trade  that  have  so  greatly  tended  to  build  up  this  city. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Sutherlin  Meade  Tobacco  Company  of  this  city. 

He  was  an  honored  and  the  oldest  member  of  the  Danville 
Association. 

From  the  Lynchburg  News  : 

A  telegram  was  received  in  this  city  from  Danville  yester- 
day announcing  the  sudden  death,  at  3  o'clock  A.  M..  of  Ma- 
jor AV.  T.  Sutherlin,  with  an^jina  pectoris. 

Major  Sutherlin  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  county,  near 
Danville,  about  sixty-five  years  ago.  Prior  to  the  war,  he 
was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tobacco,  by  which  he 
amassed  a  large  fortune.  He  was  a  member  of  the  conven- 
tion which  passed  the  ordinance  of  secession  from  the  Fed- 
eral Union,  and  upon  the  opening  of  hostilities  entered  the 
army  as  major  quartermaster,  and  remained  on  duty  at  Dan- 
ville in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  When  the 
evacuation  of  Richmond  drove  President  Davis  and  his  Cab- 
inet from  the  Confederate  Capital,  the  President  and  several 
members  of  the  Cabinet  were  for  a  time  Major  Sutherlin's 
guests,  and  it  was  in  his  house  that  Mr.  Davis  penned  his 
last  proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  Confederate  States. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Major  Sutherlin  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  agriculture,  and  purchased  several  valuable  farms  in 
Pittsylvania.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Delegates,  and  as  a  legislator  impressed  his  characteristics 
of  enterprise  and  energy  upon  the  legislation  of  the  State. 
He  declined  a  re-election  and  retired  to  private  life,  but  has 
since  figured  several  times  in  Democratic  conventions,  and 
was  an  alternate  from  Virginia  to  the  Chicago  Convention 
which  nominated  President  Cleveland. 

During  the  present  gubernatorial  campaign,  as  is  well 
known.  Major  Sutherlin  has  been  put  forward  by  his  friends 
for  the  position  of  Lieutenant-Governor,  and  has  made  sev- 
eral speeches,  his  specialty  being  the  currency  question. 

Socially,  no  citizen  of  Danville,  or  Pittsylvania  county, 

[72j 


was  more  generally  popular  or  more  hospitable.  He  leaves 
a  widow  and  one  grand-child,  the  latter  a  young  lady  well 
known  in  social  circles  throughout  Virginia  and  the  South, 
a  daughter  of  Colonel  Frank  L.  Smith,  of  Alexandria. 

From  the  Richmond  Christian  Advocate  : 

On  the  22nd  inst.,  this  prominent  and  well  known  Metho- 
dist of  Danville  passed  suddenly  away.  At  the  age  of 
seventy  he  fell  a  victim  to  a  heart  affection  of  which  he  had 
suffered  some  serious  attacks  at  different  times.  He  has 
been  a  leading  figure  in  business,  political  and  religious  cir- 
cles in  the  society  of  his  section  of  Virginia,  and  a  repre- 
sentative man  of  the  State  at  large  for  many  years.  From 
the  time  of  the  transfer  of  that  section  of  the  old  North  Car- 
olina Conference  to  Virginia,  in  1858,  he  has  been  identified 
with  the  progress  of  Methodism  in  Danville  ;  and  the  large 
educational  movements  and  important  measures  for  the  de- 
velopment and  strengthening  of  our  interests  as  a  Christian 
denomination  have  been  assisted  by  his  council  and  sup- 
port. He  established  the  "Sutherlin  Prize  Medal,"  for 
oratory,  at  Randolph-Macon  College,  and  contributed  liber- 
ally in  other  respects  to  that  institution  of  which  he  was, 
and  had  been  long  a  trustee.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  President  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  having  al- 
ways been  a  foremost  patron  and  practical  promoter  of  that 
noblest  of  occupations  by  which  men  gain  a  living.  He  had 
been  largely  engaged  in  railroad  construction,  chiefly  for 
the  opening  up  of  regions  around  Danville.  His  beautiful 
and  elegant  home  in  that  city  was  the  seat  of  a  generous 
and  courteous  hospitality,  and  none  were  more  welcome  to 
its  halls  or  received  there  more  attention  than  ministers  of 
the  Gospel.  We  tender  to  his  bereaved  family  our  most 
heart-felt  sympathy,  and  pray  that  they  may  abundantly  re- 
ceive the  supporting  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

The  funeral  took  place  at  Mount  Vernon  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  at  5:30  o'clock  Sunday  afternoon,  and  was  at- 
tended by  a  vast  concourse  of  j)e()ple  The  services  were 
conducted  by  Rev.  Joshua  S.  Hunter.    A  eulogy  was  deliv- 

[73J 


ered  by  Dr.  S.  S.  Lambeth,  a  former  pastor  of  the  deceased. 
The  body  was  escorted  to  the  cemetery  by  Lodges  of  Knights 
Templar  and  Master  Masons,  and  buried  with  Masonic 
honors  just  as  the  sun  was  sinking  in  the  western  sky. 

From  the  Reidsville,  N.  C,  Webster  s  Weeldy  : 

The  Weeldy  is  grieved  to  chronicle  the  death  of  Major  W. 
T.  SuTHERLiN,  of  Danville,  which  sad  event  occurred  at  his 
home  last  Saturday  morning  about  3  o'clock.  His  malady 
was  heart  disease,  and  he  died  very  suddenly.  Our  news 
columns  contain  an  account  of  his  death  and  a  brief  sketch  of 
his  life. 

Major  Sutherlin  was  a  clear-headed,  broad-guage  man, 
and  exerted  a  wide  influence  in  his  State.  His  death  is  a 
great  blow  to  Danville  and  a  loss  to  the  whole  State. 

We  have  known  him  many  years  and  found  him  a  true 
friend  and  safe  counsellor.  His  opinions  were  always  valu- 
able because  he  went  to  the  bottom  of  whatever  he  turned 
his  mind  upon.  His  great  energy  and  remarkable  power  of 
concentration  were  the  secret  of  his  magnificent  success  in 
the  business  world. 

Better  than  all,  our  honored  friend  made  preparation  for 
the  life  beyond,  and  the  memory  of  his  good  deeds  will  ever 
be  fragrant. 

May  the  devoted  wife,  and  grand-daughter,  who  composed 
his  family,  find  divine  comfort  in  their  dark  hour  of  afflic- 
tion. 


[74] 


APPENDIX. 


During  the  course  of  his  life,  Majok  Sutherlin  never  failed 
to  serve  his  fellow-citizens  when  requested  to  do  so.  And 
as  his  ability  was  well  known,  he  was  frequently  solicited  to 
deliver  addresses  in  different  sections  of  the  State.  As  his 
style  of  speaking,  and  subject,  were  nearly  always  of  a  prac- 
tical nature,  and  as  the  advice  in  them  is  so  sound,  and  so 
much  in  keeping  with  their  author,  we  hardly  deem  it  nec- 
cessary  to  re-publish  them  with  any  apology  for  so  doing, 
for  we  conceive  the  perusal  of  these  addresses  will  give 
the  readers  of  this  memoir  a  clearer  conception  of  their 
friend  intellectually  than  the}^  otherwise  could  have  had. 

It  is  well  known  that  Major  Sutherlin  was  always  in 
sympathy  and  touch  with  the  Agricultural  and  Mechanical 
classes.  In  consequence  he  was  willing  at  all  times  to  assist 
them  in  any  way  he  could.  Only  two  years  after  the  late 
war,  he  was  requested  by  the  Mechanical  Association  of  the 
city  of  Danville  to  address  them.  He  did  so,  and  the  fol- 
owing  correspondence  will  show  how  it  was  received  : 

Danville,  Ya.,  March  12th,  1867. 
Major  W.  T.  Sutherlin — Dear  Sir  :    In  compliance  with 
the  unanimous  wish  of  the  Mechanics'  Association,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  resolution  below,  I  have  the  honor  to  request 
for  publication  a  copy  of  your  excellent  Address,  delivered 

[75] 


before  us  on  the  11th  instant.  Hoping  that  you  may  be  in- 
duced to  yield  to  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Association,  in 
thus  allowing  us  to  place  this  admirable  production  in  a  more 
enduring  form         I  am  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  PILSON,  Prest. 

On  motion  of  W.  T.  Eainey, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Association  be  tendered 
Major  W.  T.  Sutherltn,  for  the  very  able  and  instructive 
Address,  delivered  before  us  this  evening. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  that  Address  be  requested,  with 
permission  that  it  may  be  published. 

Danville,  Ya.,  March  15th,  1867. 
Dear  Sir  :    I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  letter  of  the  12th  inst.,  desiring  for  publication  a  copy 
of  my  Address  before  the  Mechanics'  Association,  at  Dan- 
ville. 

In  complying  with  your  request,  allow  me  to  express  my 
thanks  to  your  Association  for  their  very  complimentary 
resolutions,  and  also  to  yourself  for  the  flattering  terms  in 
which  you  have  been  pleased  to  communicate  them. 
Yery  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  SUTHEBLIN. 

SAMUEL  PILSON,  Esq. 

President  3Iechanics'  Association,  DanviUe, 

Mr.  President,  and  Qentlemen 

of  the  Mechanics'  Association  of  Danville  : 

I  appear  before  you,  in  compliance  with  your  invitation,  to 
give  what  aid  I  may  to  yonr  praiseworthy  effort  to  elevate  and  im- 
prove yourselves  as  members  of  the  various  mechanical  pro- 
fessions. 

I  feel  honored  by  the  ii  vitation  to  address  you ;  honored  by 


the  confidence  it  expresses,  that  what  concerns  yon,  is  of  interest 
to  me.  That  confidence  is  not  misplaced.  I  regard  yonr  society 
with  no  careless  feeling.  Properly  guided,  to  proper  ends,  it  will 
be  productive  of  great  benefits  both  to  you  and  others.  Associa- 
tion itself  is  power;  but  when  that  power  is  supplied  with  wheels 
and  cogs,  springs  and  levers,  fire  and  steam,  which  the  mechanic 
should  know  how  to  place  and  apply  as  well  intellectually  as 
physically,  then  it  can  influence  to  mighty  results  and  move  at 
will  the  masses  of  society. 

There  are  many  topics  that  present  themselves  to  the  mind  as 
suitable  themes  for  an  occasion  like  this.  Indeed,  the  great  diffi- 
culty is  to  select  from  the  many,  such  as  are  of  chief  importance 
and  of  general  and  acknowledged  interest,  so  as  to  avoid  taxing 
the  hearer  to  weariness. 

One  thought  over  which  many,  if  not  the  most,  of  mechanics 
brood,  until  it  bears  bitter  fruit,  is  connected  with  the  social 
position  awarded  to  working  men.  Why  is  it,  they  ask  them- 
selves, that  mechanics  are  not  entitled  to  positions  as  elevated  in 
society  as  those  accorded  to  other  classes  of  citizens  ?  Is  not  a 
mechanic  as  worthy  of  respect  as  any  other  man  ?  But  these 
questions  cannot  be  satisfactorily  answered  by  a  simple  assent  or 
denial ;  and  it  is  important  as  now,  that  we  give  to  them  a  proper 
consideration. 

It  would  be  idle  to  say  to  you  that  distinctions  in  society  are 
either  useless  or  improper.  They  are  necessary.  There  will  be, 
there  must  be,  social  distinctions  while  man  is  man.  The  world 
of  mankind,  reaches  from  the  lowest  grade  of  barbarism  to  the 
highest  of  polished  civilization.  Every  diversity  is  a  separate 
link  in  the  long  chain,  and  every  step  in  human  progress  is  a 
ground  of  distinction.    Out  of  these  variations  arise  discrimina- 


tions  and  associations  ;  classifications  and  groupings  that  grow 
out  Qf  the  fitness  that  almost  compels  companionship.  Naturally, 
like  seeks  like,  and  so  society  organizes  itself,  and  settles  into 
classes,  each  of  which  has  some  strong  bond  of  affinity,  some  cen- 
tral idea ;  wealth  in  some,  pride  of  birth,  intellectual  tastes, 
scientific  researches,  similarity  of  pursuits,  political  accord,  any 
common  trait  or  liking  that  secures  to  those  within  the  particu- 
lar circle,  community  of  interest  and  harmony  of  sentiment. 
These  classes  of  society  remain ;  they  are  permanent.  But  of  the 
individuals  that  compose  them,  many  are  constantly  passing  from 
one  to  another  as  changes  occur  in  their  circumstances  and  for- 
tunes ;  and  to  secure  such  change  and  transfer  from  a  lower  to  a 
higher  sphere  is  one  of  the  great  struggles  of  life.  This  is  man's 
great  ambition — a  pride  of  soul  neither  to  be  derided  nor  des- 
pised. It  makes  him  economical  and  industrious,  and  inspires 
him  with  a  noble  effort  to  rise  above  his  present  condition  and 
reach  something  higher  and  better.  Such  earnest  effort  makes 
the  true  man,  and  distinguishes  men  from  men,  both  as  to  moral 
strength  and  mental  capacity.  This  animated  motive  inspired  the 
poor  shepherd  boy  of  Scotland,  when  lying  at  night  beside  his  flock 
in  the  secluded  valley,  and  wrapped  in  his  coarse  plaid,  he  looked 
up  to  the  bright  stars  above  him,  to  rouse  his  young  strength  to 
scale  the  scientific  heights  to  which  their  beauty  and  their  glory 
pointed  him,  and  stand  successfully  at  the  top  in  sight  of  won- 
dering men  as  Ferguson,  the  Astronomer.  v 

Yours  is  an  association  naturally  growing  out  of  a  similarity 
of  pursuits;  the  employmEnt  of  your  thoughts  and  toil  upon 
mechanical  art  in  its  various  forms. 

And  what  is  a  mechanic  ?  A  working  man ;  one  skilled  in 
some  art  of  value  to  the  world,  at  which  he  works  with  his  own 

[78] 


hands  as  a  calling.  And  what  is  there  here  that  of  necessity  is 
either  low  or  degrading  ?  It  was  not  in  wrath,  bnt  in  mercy, 
that  God  said  to  the  man  who  had  lost  his  Paradise,  ''In  the 
sweat  of  thy  brow  shalt  thou  eat  bread."  Was  Socrates,  the 
world- renowned  philosopher  of  the  olden  time,  degraded  because 
he  had  worked  as  a  mechanic  ?  His  memory  is  immortal.  Was 
Paul  the  "tent-maker"  degraded  when  he  said,  "These  hands 
have  ministered  to  my  necessities  ?  Let  his  Apostolic  pre-emi- 
nence, and  the  undying  glory  that  rests  upon  his  name,  be  a  suffi- 
cient answer.  Benjamin  Franklin  the  printer,  who  was  not 
ashamed,  with  his  own  hands  to  trundle  through  the  streets  of 
Philadelphia,  the  wheel-barrow  that  contained  his  little  lot  of  pa- 
per, all  that  in  his  poverty  he  conld  purchase,and  Eoger  Sherman, 
the  poor  Connecticut  shoemaker,  each  by  sobriety,  industry  and 
intellect,  became  a  member  of  that  Congress  which  ushered  a  na- 
tion into  being;  and  both  of  them,  as  members  of  the  committee 
that  framed  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  stood  side  by  side, 
acknowledged  equals,  with  Jefferson,  Livingston  and  Adams,  who 
belonged  to  the  most  aristocratic  classes  of  society.  Sheffey  too 
could  rise  from  his  hammer  and  lap-stone  in  the  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  fearlessly  cope  with  the  sarcastic  wit  of  the  aristo- 
cratic Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  in  the  halls  of  Congress ;  and 
Andrew  Jackson,  rising  from  the  humble  position  of  a  county 
constable  in  South  Carolina,  by  dint  of  energy  and  intellect,  be- 
came the  hero  of  New  Orleans,  and  the  idol,  not  merely  of  a 
powerful  party,  but  of  the  whole  people. 

Farther  back  in  the  world's  history  we  see  a  poor  and  obscure 
sailor,  possessed  of  nothing  but  the  body  and  mind  that  God 
gave  him,  and  who,  at  the  time  referred  to,  was  even  fed  by 
charity  at  the  gate  of  a  convent,  yet  standing  before  an  assembled 

[79] 


council  of  the  learaed  and  the  noble,  "pleading  the  cause  of  a 
new  world,"  as  Irving  eloquently  expressed  it ;  stood  there  not 
merely  to  plead  a  theory,  but  determined  to  work  out  the  problem 
of  an  unknown  hemispere,  beyond  an  ocean  over  which  human 
courage  had  never  ventured.  And  farther  still  in  the  distant  past, 
we  seethe  messengers  of  the  proud  Roman  Senate  entering  the 
precincts  of  a  small  farm  where  a  poor  man  was  ploughing  his 
little  field,  and  saluting  him,  not  merely  consul,  but  dictator,  to 
control  by  his  single  will  the  destinies  of  war  and  peace  of  that 
powerful  republio;  and  to-day,  the  once  obscure  ttiilor  of  North 
Carolina,  is  the  energetic  President  of  a  great  nation.  None  of 
these  men  were  great  when  they  began  their  course.  And  it  is 
for  you  to  determine,  each  man  for  himself,  what  position  he  will 
occupy  in  the  scale  of  social  distinctions.  This  cannot  be  given  ; 
each  individual  man  must  work  it  out  by  his  own  toil  and  intel- 
lect. 

Before  I  pass  to  other  themes,  there  are  some  thoughts  of  pecu- 
liar point  in  this  day  of  change  in  our  social  fabric,  which  I  will 
present  in  this  connection.  The  more  favored  classes  of  our 
young  men,  those  who  have  had  early  advantages  of  education 
and  position,  have  been  in  the  habit  of  looking  to  the  professions 
of  law  and  medicine,  or  to  the  merchant's  counting  room,  as  the 
only  eligible  and  desirable  means  of  obtaining  a  livelihood  or 
seeking  fortune.  Agriculture,  when  the  work  was  to  be  done  by 
other  hands  than  their  own,  has  also  been  considered  as  proper  for 
youths  of  this  description  ;  but  all  kinds  of  mechanical  pursuits 
have  been  sedulously  avoided,  and  the  sight  of  a  boy  to  whom 
other  avocations  were  open,  apprenticed  to  some  handicraft  trade, 
with  the  intention  of  following  it  as  a  life  profession,  is  so  very 
rare  that  we  may  pronounce  it  almost  unknown.    Why  is  this? 

[80] 


History  is  full  of  evidence  that  meclianical  labor  is  no  barrier  to 
either  social  or  political  distinction.  To  my  mind  there  are  two 
main  reasons  for  it.  First,  it  has  grown  into  a  maxim  that  it 
degrades  the  boy  to  apprentice  him  to  a  trade.  I  do  not  mean 
the  simple  idea  that  labor  is  considered  degrading;  for  the  same 
boy  that  would  spurn  a  jack-plane,  and  look  with  horror  on  a 
hand-saw,  is  very  willing  to  sweep  out  a  merchant's  store,  or  dust 
the  goods  on  the  counter,  and  will  even  take  a  pride  in  enconn- 
tering  a  pile  of  greasy  bacon  for  the  accommodation  of  any 
chance  customer.  Noble  and  true  boys,  they  will  work  till  mid- 
night if  necessary;  but  from  the  idea  of  being  apprenticed  to  a 
blacksmith  or  a  carpenter,  they  shrink  back  appalled. 

What  is  the  canse  of  this  strange  difference?  The  words  trade, 
apprentice,  mechanic,  are  what  seem  to  them  degrading;  not 
mere  labor.  They  have  been  educated  to  look  on  a  trade  as  un- 
genteel — not  proper  work  for  a  gentleman.  AVhy  shonld  not  a 
gentleman  be  a  mechanic,  and  a  mechanic  be  a  gentleman?  No 
one  can  give  a  reason.  Who  looks  more  like  a  man,  such  as  God 
made  in  his  own  likeness, — he  who  stands  out  in  the  open  snn- 
light,  and  with  healthy,  ruddy  conntenance,  beaded  with  the 
sweat  of  toil,  and  well  knit  sinewy  frame,  hurls  his  good  axe  into 
the  stubborn  forest  tree,  or  he  who  with  feeble  frame,  the  inheri- 
tance of  a  hot-house  childhood,  stands  in  the  shade  behind  the 
merchant's  counter,  and  smilingly  measures  off,  for  some  fair 
customer,  ten  3^ards  of  calico,  which  he  positively  assures  her 
"will  wash?"  Which  seems  the  more  elevated  position,  to  ham- 
mer the  red  iron  on  the  ringing  anvil,  and  to  forge  the  un wieldly 
mass,  and  lit  and  frame  the  thundering  locomotive,  or  to  sit 
lazily  in  some  professional  office  and  talk  politics,  or  study  idly 
at  the  street  corner  and  discuss  with  learned  criticism  the  dresses 

[81] 


of  the  ladies  as  they  pass  ?  Gentility, — a  gentleman, — none  of 
these  things  make  np  either  the  one  or  the  other.  These  grow 
out  of  elevated  principle  in  a  man,  not  the  trade  or  profession  he 
may  happen  to  have  adopted.  ^ 

The  other  principal  reason  why  apprentices  look  so  ap- 
palling to  a  boy  gently  reared,  is  the  failure  of  those  who  have 
mechanical  shops  to  respect  their  own  calling,  and  maintain  its 
proper  dignity.  Men  have  combined  to  assign  mechanics  a  low 
position  in  the  social  scale,  and  mechanics  have  too  often  as- 
sented to  the  unjust  verdict.  Let  the  mechanic,  feeling  that  he 
is  a  man,  manifest  the  same  respect  in  his  shop,  that  the  merchant 
and  the  professional  man  exibit  in  the  office  and  the  store.  Not 
by  written  rules  only,  but  let  him  show  in  his  conduct  and  bear- 
ing that  he  respects  himself.  No  man,  tradesman  or  other,  need 
expect,  that  when  by  his  own  course  he  rates  himself  at  a  small 
figure,  the  world  or  any  one  in  it,  will  count  him  as  a  large  one. 
Such  has  been  the  weight  of  this  incubus,  this  wight-mare  of 
opinion,  that  very  few  of  the  mechanics  of  our  country  have  ever 
served  a  regular  apprenticeship.  There  is  so  little  care  by  the 
master  of  the  shop,  to  give  the  boy  at  the  work-  bench  the  consid- 
eration shown  by  the  merchant  to  the  clerk  in  his  store,  that  it  is 
little  wonder  the  better  class  of  boys,  who  have  been  taught  to  re- 
spect themselves,  shrink  from  apprenticeship  as  they  see  it  in 
practice. 

As  I  said  in  the  commencement,  there  will  always  be  social  dis- 
tinctions ;  but  no  law,  no  power  on  earth,  no  division-fence,  can 
prevent  a  poor  man  being  a  gentleman,  as  fully  developed  as  a 
rich  man,  and  from  being  houored  as  such  by  all  whose  respect  is 
worth  the  seeking.  This  word,"gentleman,"  has  come  to  be  strange- 
ly applied,  and  means  in  ordinary  u^e  anything  or  nothing.  My 

[82] 


meaning  when  I  use  the  term  is,  a  man  of  integrity  and  moral 
worth,  who  shows  by  his  course  to  others,  and  his  care  of  himself, 
that  he  values  what  is  honest  and  true  and  lovely  and  of  good  re- 
port, both  in  himself  and  them.  Let  a  man,  mechanic  or  not, 
spend  his  time  in  lewd  and  drunken  company  ;  let  his  choice  re- 
sort to  the  bar-room,  or  let  midnight  find  him  at  the  gambling 
table  or  the  brothel,  and  he  will  be  sure  to  find  a  level  far  below 
the  respect  of  the  worthy,  and  where  he  is  certain  to  reap  all  the 
blight  and  ruin  that  come  to  the  degraded.  Mechanics  have  no 
magic  shield,  any  more  than  other  men,  to  ward  off  the  injuries 
they  invite  by  their  own  imprudences.  He  that  deliberately  goes 
down  into  the  valley,  need  have  no  surprise  that  others  are  above 
him,  who  have  patiently  toiled  up  hill  and  mountain. 

If  we  have  not  yet  learned  the  important  lesson,  we  cannot  learn 
it  too  soon — for  it  is  a  trath — that  it  is  honorable  to  labor.  Learn, 
that  the  drops  of  sweat  from  that  labor,  which  cluster  about  thy 
brow,  may  be  made  to  prepare  it  for  a  wreath  of  fame ;  that  the 
mechanic  at  the  forge  may  harden  his  muscular  arm  to  wield  a 
sceptre  of  power  ;  that  he  who  chips  the  rough  granite  into  form 
may  none  the  less  be  able  to  fashion  human  thought ;  and  he  who 
with  patient  skill  at  the  work-bench  smooths  the  gnarled  and 
cross-grained  wood,  may  be  the  man  to  bring  order,  beauty,  and 
value  out  of  the  conflict  of  human  opinions.  Believe  me,  the  time 
is  fast  passing  away  when  any  man  can  secure  honor  and  position 
through  idleness.  Let  the  dainty  kid  glove  look  in  scorn  on  the 
toil-worn  hand ; — answer  the  scorn  with  pity.  For  nothing  in  the 
teachings  of  an  all-wise  Providence  should  we  feel  more  thank- 
ful, than  the  fact  that  God  has  stamped  it  on  everything  of  earth, 
that  there  are  dignity  and  honor  in  labor.  Henceforth,  wealth, 
distinction  and  success,  if  we  achieve  them,  must  be  wrought  out 

[83] 


by  our  own  brain  and  muscle.  They  who  lie  clown  on  roses  to 
dream,  will  wake  up  to  find  that  thorns  have  pierced  them. 

The  day  has  been  when  the  master  mechanic  could  look  into 
his  work-shop  and  see  many  hands  that  he  could  call  his  own,  em- 
ployed for  his  advancement  in  wealth  and  influence  ;  and  when 
the  farmer  could  ride  over  his  many  acres  well  tilled  by  laborers 
that  the  law  said  were  his  property.  But  these  things,  too,  are 
with  the  past.  To  cast  odium  upon  the  laborer  now,  is  but  to 
dishonor  us  all.  We  must  gird  ourselves  for  the  struggle  that  is 
before  us  ;  for  it  will  be  fierce  and  strong.  Life  is  no  pastime 
now,  but  a  stern  reality ;  and  the  theatre  on  which  we  must  play 
our  parts,  will  fully  tax  our  skill  and  test  our  endurance.  The 
world,  with  the  altars  of  God  and  the  market  places  of  mammon ; 
its  truth  and  its  falsehood,  its  solid  gold  and  its  glittering  tinsel, 
its  wealth  and  its  poverty,  its  honor  and  its  shame ; — all  warn  us 
in  thunder  tones  that  this  is  no  place  to  dream.  It  may  be  that 
to  win  success  you  will  have  to  burn  the  midnight  lamp.  Let  it 
be  so.  If  you  are  ambitious  for  distinction,  if  you  are  determined 
to  assert  the  fullness  of  your  manhood,  take  any  one  calling,  know 
no  change,  and  inscribe  on  your  banner  success  I  Be  patient,  en- 
dure fatigue,  and  if  it  come  disappointment;  but  never  falter, 
for  with  fortitude  and  constancy  and  singleness  of  purpose,  the 
goal  of  your  ambition  will  be  surely  reached. 

I  speak  to  you  as  mechanics,  not  laborers  merely.  There  are 
very  many  of  the  latter  who  never  seek  more  than  to  make  a  liv- 
ing. They  rise  up  in  the  early  morning,  and  breakfast  secured, 
with  a'small  bucket  in  hand,  they  go  whistling  and  singing  to 
their  work.  These  are  happy  in  their  station  when  employed  and 
in  health,  and  are  useful  in  their  place.  They  will  most  likely 
remain  in  that  condition  an  ]  never  have  a  thought  above  it.  But 

[84] 


yoa  are  mechanics,  and  that  term  implies  both  skill  of  hand  and 
capacity  to  think. 

Many  of  you  doubtless:,  while  your  hands  are  occupied,  send  out 
your  thoughts  in  search  of  knowledge  and  wisdom.  You  are 
studying  how  to  invent  something  to  sujDply  a  need,  how  to  im- 
prove something  already  known,  how  to  cheapen  or  more  readily 
execute  even  the  work  you  have  in  hand  ;  for  thus  the  mind  of 
the  thinking  mechanic  is  ever  actively  at  work. 

80  it  was  with  that  man  of  our  own  time,  whose  memory  is 
revered  for  the  contributions  which  his  researches  have  made  to 
human  knowledge — the  humble  stone-cutter  of  Cromarty.  He 
stood  by  the  rough  granite  day  by  day,  with  the  mallet  in  one 
hand  and  the  chisel  in  the  other,  moulding,  polishing,  fashioning 
to  his  will,  his  eyes  fixed  on  his  labor,  as  the  chips  and  fire  tiew 
from  the  rock  ;  but  his  mind  was  as  busy  as  his  hand,  and  reason 
following  where  thought  led  him,  he  gathered  and  gave  to  us  in 
the  "Old  Eed  Sand  Stone"  and  "The  testimony  of  the  rocks,"  a 
monument  to  himself  more  enduring,  than  piled  np  granite  could 
ever  be,  with  the  name  of  Hugh  Miller  deeply  graven  upon  it. 

But,  you  say  it  is  only  the  few  who  can  expect  to  attain  high 
distinction.  The  great  principles  you  lay  down  are  true,  but  we 
are  more  concerned  to  know^  how  men  of  ordinary  minds  may 
achieve  independence  or  Avealth  and  such  success  as  the  mass  of 
mechanics  may  hope  for. 

This  opens  up  a  wide  field  for  praatical  thought.  AVell  direct- 
ed ambition  is  laudable  in  any  man.  AW  men  may  rise  to  some 
height  now  above  them  by  proper  effort.  Should  we  aim  to  ele- 
vate ourselves  by  pulling  down  and  depressing  others,  that  is  not 
ambition  but  envy — one  of  the  very  vilest  of  the  human  passions, 
more  dangerous  and  pernicious  than  the  sting  of  a  scorpion.  Ani- 


bition  that  aspires  to  excellence  in  all  that  is  good  and  pore,  is  a 
virtue.  You  should  be  ambitious  to  excel  in  whatever  you  un- 
dertake. If  you  are  a  brick- layer,  you  should  be  ambitious  to 
lay  more  brick,  with  better  mortar  and  smoother  points,  and  make 
a  well  finished  job  in  less  time  than  any  other  man;  if  a  carpen- 
ter, to  have  better  tools,  make  better  joints,  a  smoother  surface? 
and  do  more  work  of  better  quality  than  any  other  carpenter  ;  if 
a  blacksmith,  to  temper  your  metal  to  stand  both  heat  and  cold, 
learn  to  weld  heavy  masses  of  iron  with  ease,  use  better  iron  and 
steel  and  do  better  work  and  more  of  it  than  any  other  in  that 
business  ;  if  a  shoemaker,  to  use  the  best  materials  aud  make 
work  that  will  not  rip,  make  a  better  shoe  and  boot,  in  better  style 
and  in  less  time,  than  any  other  workman ;  if  a  printer,  to  learn 
to  set  more  type  and  more  correctly  in  a  given  time,  than  other 
printers.  Thus  might  I  go  through  the  whole  catalogue  of  trades. 
The  ambition  I  have  described  is  a  laudable  ambition,  and  will, 
with  a  proper  regard  to  economy,  lead  any  and  all  who  are  guided 
by  it,  to  independence  and  success. 

It  may  be  said  that  to  insure  success,  capital  is  as  necessary  as 
skill;  and  you  wish  to  know  how  that  is  to  be  obtained.  I  would 
answer  that  nine  times  in  ten,  the  best  way  to  get  it  is  to  work  for 
it.  Gained  in  this  way,  it  comes  home  to  stay  at  home,  and  to 
strengthen  and  encourage  the  owner.  It  is  not  like  that  which  is 
borrowed.  That  belongs  to  another,  to  be  returned  probably 
when  very  inconvenient,  and  it  may  be  with  usury  in  addition. 
If  you  will  adopt  the  plan  and  adhere  to  it,  of  spending  less  than 
you  make,  you  will  soon  find  your  earnings  accumulating  on  your 
hands ;  and  these  small  savings  will  be  a  nucleus,  around  which 
will  cluster  other  gains,  increasing  to  an  amount  that  will  both 
surprise  and  encourage  you.    No  man  in  the  posession  of  his  lib- 

[8G] 


erty,  spends  so  little  but  that  he  might  spend  less,  and  would,  if 
he  were  in  earnest  to  become  independent.  For  the  want  of  such 
a  system  of  economy  and  thrift,  many  are  like  a  man  once  in  my 
employ,  who  consumed  all  his  wages  and  at  the  end  of  the  year 
complained  that  he  had  nothing.  I  told  him  he  had  one  impor- 
tant lesson  to  learn,  which  was,  that  he  could  not  both  eat  his 
cake  and  have  it  too. 

You  often  hear  men  say  they  cannot  understand  how  some  peo- 
ple get  along  in  the  world  so  well  and  so  rapidly.  They  say  "I 
work  as  constantly  and  as  hard  as  they  do,  yet  I  remam  poor. 
Mr.  a  few  years  ago  was  as  poor  as  I  am,  but  now  he  car- 
ries on  successfully  a  large  business  and  is  making  money,  and  I 
am  actually  working  in  his  shop  for  my  daily  pay,  which  barely 
supports  me.  How  is  that  ?"  This  would  be  a  hard  case  if  it 
could  not  be  mended.  Perhaps  after  all,  the  fault  may  be  in  him 
who  complains.  I  remember  visiting  a  large  machine  shop  one 
day  on  business,  and  observed  some  of  the  employees  stop  work 
and  spread  out  on  the  benches  before  them,  sumptuous  dinners. 
Generally,  besides  other  meats,  they  had  chicken,  several  kinds  of 
vegetables,  and  some  of  them  had  pastry.  Presently  a  small  ne- 
gro boy  stepped  up  to  the  proprietor  who  was  himself  a  working 
man,  and  said  to  him  "Here  is  your  dinner,  sir."  This  dinner 
consisted  of  two  rolls,  and  a  pint  tin  bucket  full  of  buttermilk. 
He  drank  his  milk  and  eat  his  rolls  with  a  good  relish,  sopping- 
even  the  particles  of  butter  from  the  sides  of  the  bucket,  and 
when  done  his  frugal  meal,  smacked  his  lips  and  seemed  as  well 
satisfied  and  as  ready  for  business  as  any  man  in  the  house.  Now 
were  there  no  other  reason,  this  difference  in  the  cost  of  living — 
a  difference  of  from  twenty-five  to  forty  cents  in  a  single  dinner — 
in  that  shop,  would  soon  make  one  a  proprietor  and  the  others 

[87] 


toilers  for  their  daily  bread,  if  even  by  labor  they  could  pay  their 
way.  A  great  many  men  remain  poor,  because  they  are  unwilling 
to  make  the  necessary  sacrifices  of  comfort  and  ease  to  become 
rich.  They  too  have  yet  to  learn  that  they  cannot  eat  their  cake 
and  have  it  too. 

There  is  another  cause  of  dissatisfaction  with  many.  They  en- 
deavor to  commence  life  at  the  point,  and  in  the  style,  their  fath- 
ers arrived  at  only  after  long  years  of  toil ;  and  finding  it  very 
difficult  to  do,  they  complain  bitterly  of  the  hardness  of  the  times, 
and  think  it  strange  they  cannot  get  along  smoothly.  Unless 
they  can  at  one  stride,  reach  the  position  which  it  has  taken  an- 
other 20  or  30  years  to  attain,  they  think  everything  is  wrong 
and  the  world  sadly  out  of  joint.  John  Jacob  Astor  was  consid- 
ered a  man  of  very  good  sense  in  his  day;  but  he  could  not  do 
that,  though  from  as  poor  a  man  as  the  poorest,  he  did  become 
the  richest  of  the  rich  in  the  United  States.  But  his  progress 
was  step  by  step.  He  said  "the  first  thousand  dollars  he  ever 
made  gave  him  more  labor  than  all  the  balance  of  his  fortune." 
Go  surely,  young  man!  If  you  ^o  slowly,  by  patient  toil  you  will 
reach  the  summit. 

I  regret  to  see  around  me,  and  connected  with  your  society,  so 
few  of  the  young  men  of  this  section.  This  should  not  be  so. 
Many  of  you  I  know  to  be  competent  and  reliable;  and  you  should 
have  under  your  instruction  a  large  number  of  the  young  men 
of  this  country,  devoting  time  and  talents  to  mechanic  arts.  The 
most  of  you  know  fi  om  experience,  that  early  training,  instruc- 
tion, and  discipline,  are  very  important  to  success.  If  you,  in- 
telligent mechanics,  do  not  interest  yourselves  in  the  welfare  of 
the  young  men  growing  up  around  you,  your  plrces  must  ere  long 
be  filled  by  the  stranger.    Will  you  leave  our  native  boys  to  be- 

[88] 


come  mere  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,  in  that  stern 
future  which  must  be  a  future  of  labor  to  the  masses  of  men  ? 
Shall  they  be  left  without  resource  beyond  the  pittance  of  a  com- 
mon laborer?  You  that  are  masters  of  shops,  should  have  as 
many  sprightly  lads  apprenticed  as  your  business  will  jnstify,  and 
teach  them  by  precept  and  example  the  trades  that  will  give  them 
an  ample  and  honorable  livelihood.  The  boys  of  the  more  fa- 
vored classes  may  still  seek  professions,  or  refuse  a  place  at  the 
work-bench  or  the  forge ;  but  the  indigent  boy  is  at  your  hand, 
and  while  the  heart  is  right,  will  never  be  spurned  for  his  pover- 
ty. From  this  humble  condition  the  brightest  jewels  of  our  man- 
hood have  been  polished  ;  and  industry,  intellect  and  moral  worth 
have  fashioned  their  setting  of  the  purest  gold.  Indeed  there  are 
but  few  of  our  prominent  men,  few  of  mark  and  power  in  place 
or  out  of  it,  who  if  they  undertook  to  trace  their  genealogy,  would 
not  soon  run  into  the  mud ;  while  there  are  many  imbeciles  now 
in  the  mire,  who  can  easily  trace  their  ancestry  back  to  aristocra- 
cy. If  the  more  affluent  classes  will  not  give  their  children  to 
your  training,  take  the  humble  and  the  poor.  Treat  them  kind- 
ly, and  as  far  as  you  can  educate  them ;  raise  them  up  to  self-re- 
spect by  your  friendly  counsel  and  gentle  care  ;  teach  them  mor- 
als and  manners  and  prepare  them  to  be  men.  They  will  amply 
repay  all  you  can  do  to  the  Virginia  of  the  future. 

This  is  more  needed  now  than  ever  before.  The  many  that 
yesterday  were  rich,  are  poor  to-day.  The  prosperity  and  compe- 
tence they  thought  secure  have  broken  like  a  bubble  in  the  hand. 
The  very  foundations  of  our  social  fabric  have  been  upheaved  as 
by  an  earthquake ;  and  the  roof-tree,  under  which  our  fathers 
rested  in  confident  pride  that  it  would  be  forever,  gives  no  longer 
a  shelter  to  their  children.    The  past  is  to  us  like  a  dream,  and 

[89J 


it  will  never  return.  Regrets  are  idle  and  tears  are  useless. 
Bend  all  your  energies  to  the  present  need,  and  labor  in  hope  for 
a  new  prosperity. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  well  to  call  attention  to  a  fact  by 
no  means  unimportant,  yet  frequently  forgotten  ;  I  mean  the  re- 
lation of  the  various  classes  of  society  to  each  other.  This  can 
neither  be  a  world  of  farmers,  nor  of  merchants,  nor  of  mechan- 
ics, nor  of  professional  men.  It  requires  them  all  to  make  one 
world,  and  to  provide  the  comforts  necessary  to  one  ordinary 
household.  There  is,  there  mast  continue  to  be,  a  mutual  de- 
pendence of  classes,  as  of  individuals  ;  and  the  only  true  interest 
that  all  require,  that,  while  they  work  separately — and  it  in- 
volves no  paradox — they  must  work  together.  Such  a  view  of  the 
great  human  family  was  well  exhibited  in  that  splendid  vision  of 
the  Jewish  prophet,  "a  wheel  in  the  middle  of  the  wheel,"  and 
all  moving  one  way,  and  "when  those  went  these  went,"  and 
"when  those  stood  these  stood." 

But  there  is  a  wider  range  of  thought,  of  grave  importance  to 
all  classes  of  our  people,  and  of  especial  interest  to  the  mechanic. 

We  are  now  in  a  state  of  transition.  Socially  as  well  as  polit- 
ically everything  is  unsettled,  and  as  yet  there  is  no  intelligent 
plan  of  progress,  no  practical  principles  agreed  on  for  building 
up  prosperity.  Staggered  by  the  shock  of  the  tempest  that  so 
fearfully  swept  over  us,  there  yet  lingers  an  apathy  that  is  slow 
to  realize  the  terrible  truth  of  the  ruin  around  us,  and  paralyzes 
every  effort  for  concert  of  action.  We  must  nerve  ourselves  to 
meet  the  occasion.  Let  us  learn  first  of  all  that  disaster  is  not, 
of  necessity,  the  herald  of  despair.  The  very  ruins  will  give  ma- 
terial to  the  builder,  and  the  ground  has  other  uses  than  for 
graves.    If  we  would  be  a  great  people,  we  must  consent  to  the 

m 


changes  that  have  come,  and  direct  to  advantage  those  that  will 
rapidly  follow.  The  sudden  and  complete  destruction  of  a  sys- 
tem of  labor  which  by  education  and  habit  w^e  had  regarded  as 
permanent,  has  been  met  by  a  stubborn  indisposition  in  the  great 
mass  of  the  people,  even  to  accustom  their  thoughts  or  adapt 
their  habits  of  life  to  the  new  order  of  things.  The  few  who  have 
been  able  to  comprehend  the  situatioQ  and  act  upon  it,  are  to- 
day realizing  larger  profits  than  at  any  former  period  of  their  lives, 
and  in  proportion  to  the  rapidity  with  which  we  wisely  follow 
them,  will  be  the  return  of  general  prosperity. 

The  greatest  hindrance  perhaps  of  any  other  to  our  success  is, 
that  the  larger  portion  of  the  laud  of  Virginia — all  that  was  left 
us  as  property  of  value — is  owned  by  the  aged  and  infirm,  or  men 
beyond  middle  life,  most  of  whom  have  no  recuperative  power, 
and  who  from  the  long  habit  of  looking  in  one  direction  and 
using  only  on©  means,  cannot  possibly  conceive  of  anything  but 
poverty  and  distress  in  the  future.  And  yet  from  agricultural 
products  must  come  our  first  real  gain,  and  from  energetic  and 
improved  farming,  our  fi^rst  solid  advancement.  Thus  you  will 
see  that  the  development  of  the  State  chiefly  devolves  on  the 
young,  the  ardent,  and  the  hopeful.  Our  country  abounds  in 
fertile  but  uncultivated  lands.  Even  in  those  portions  of  the 
State  penetrated  by  railroads  and  navigable  streams,  the  returns 
are  very  meagre,  compared  with  the  capacity  of  the  soil  under 
proper  cultivation.  The  old  system  of  labor  destroyed,  and  the 
uncertain  labor  now^  in  reach,  employed  in  the  main  without  sys- 
tem or  thrift,  make  the  prospect  for  the  future  gloomy  indeed. 

But  this,  you  may  think,  is  the  farmer's  business.  What  has 
the  mechanic  to  do  with  it  ?  You  have  much  to  do  with  it. 
You  can,  and  must,  by  your  skill  and  energy,  place  in  reach  of 

[91] 


our  people,  improved  labor-saving  machinery  of  every  description 
for  the  farm  and  the  household.  We  cannot  afford  to  indulge 
any  longer  in  the  whims  of  prejudice.  If  you  do  not  supply 
these  necessities,  others  must.  If  you  cannot  invent,  you  must 
adopt  the  invention  of  others.  You  have  no  choice  left.  If  you 
falter,  the  rush  of  the  tide  of  progress  will  sweep  you  away.  We 
look  to  you  for  labor-saving  machinery  that  will  make  the  ivork 
of  one  man  equal  to  that  of  two,  three,  or  even  four  men. 

If  you  do  not  furnish  this  aid  others  mast.  The  great  interest 
at  stake  cannot  be  permitted  to  languish  for  want  of  facilities  so 
necessary  to  its  existence.  I  commend  the  subject  to  your  care- 
ful consideration.  Why  should  the  farmer  of  Virginia  be  com- 
pelled to  rely  on  foreigners  for  any  implement  of  agriculture, 
when  his  own  State  abounds  in  iron  and  coal,  with  water  power 
in  almost  every  neighborhood,  and  no  laok  of  the  best  timber  in 
the  world  ?  Do  you  answer,  we  have  always  looked  to  foreign 
supply,  and  how  can  you  expect  us  now  to  meet  an  emergency  for 
which  none  are  prepared,  and  when  we  are  impoverished  and  des- 
titute of  means,  both  in  labor  and  capital  ?  I  answer,  there  will 
be  found  enough  of  both  for  the  necessity.  Integrity  and  ener- 
gy, never  yet  have  failed  ! 

If  unfortunately,  Virginia,  now  as  heretofore,  shall  direct  her 
energy  and  intellect  to  politics,  and  to  study  of  legislation  for  the 
nation  at  large,  and  if  her  population  spend  all  the  leisure  their 
new  condition  of  poverty  may  leave  them  from  the  struggle  for 
bread,  to  the  discussion  of  principles  and  tactics  for  party  victo- 
ries; why  then  a  long  farewell  to  her  greatness.  There  has  been 
more  than  enough  of  this  already.  The  great  intellects  of  our 
noble  old  commonwealth  have  aimed  to  make  her  proud,  rather 
than  prosperous  and  rich,    j' hey  have  devoted  their  strength  to 

m 


her  jiolitical  rather  than  her  material  interest.  Beyoud  the  mem- 
ory of  this  gvneratioii  her  great  men  have  stond  before  the  people 
with  a  banner  in  each  hand,  slavery  inscribed  on  one.  and  the 
maxims  of  their  respective  political  creeds  on  the  other.  AVith 
these  they  rallied  the  excited  mas.-es  to  many  a  victory  :  bnt  the 
victory  was  rnim  and  the  success  desolation  :  for  there  was  no 
science  or  skill  in  the  workshops,  and  the  lields  were  wilds  for 
the  want  of  tillage. 

The  staves  of  these  old  party  banners  are  broken  now  :  and  the 
march  of  events  in  the  past  tive  years  lias  torn  to  shreds  the  proud 
emblems  which  they  bore.  AViil  the  sons  of  Mrgiuia  engage  now 
in  a  wild  cru>ade  to  recover  a  dead  past,  and  galvanize  into  life 
the  corpse  of  dead  systems  r  AVill  they  rally  to  the  uplifting  of 
the  tattered  fragments  of  these  banners  of  a  "lost  cause,"'  and  in- 
sanely resolve  that  what  is  left  of  the  Old  Dominion  shall  be  a 
wilderness?    Xo,  never  I 

The  banner  of  progress  is  lifted  now.  and  the  multitude  is  on 
the  march.  Stand  aside  ye  who  are  palsied  by  the  prejudices  of 
the  pa-t — or  you  will  be  trampled  under  foot  without  mercy  I 

Just  here  I  will  say.  I  have  been  often  asked  whether  a  contin- 
uance of  our  political  troubles  will  not  have  a  very  injurious  ef- 
fect upon  the  general  prosperity  of  the  State,  and  whether  we  can- 
not and  ought  not  to  make  some  effort  to  bring  about  a  practical 
restoration  of  the  country. 

I  do  not  consider  this  a  tit  occasion  to  make  a  political  speeeh, 
even  if  I  were  so  dis^^osed.  However,  amidst  the  deep  gloom  that 
hovers  around  our  political  horizon  at  this  time,  it  may  not  be 
improper  for  me  briefly  to  refer  to  the  subject. 

I  feel  confident  that  great  benefit  would  result  to  the  State  from 
the  speedy  settlement  of  the  political  troubles  of  the  country, 


and  the  permanent  establishment  of  her  political  status.  But, 
however  desirable  this  consummation  may  be  to  us,  the  time  that 
will  be  required,  and  the  many  disagreeable  tests  to  which  we  may 
be  subjected  ere  it  is  effected,  no  one  can  now  foretell. 

While  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  dwell  on  this  subject  it  may  be 
well  to  make  a  few  practical  suggestions  in  this  connection. 

When  two  sections  or  countries  have  war,  and  one  conquers 
the  other,  the  terms  imposed  for  adjustment  are  the  terms  of  the 
conqueror,  and  not  of  the  conquered  ;  and  such  terms  reflect  only 
the  character  of  the  conqueror  ;  and  if  degrading  or  humiliating 
are  accepted  because  the  conquered  are  powerless  to  do  otherwise. 

As  a  rule  for  our  conduct,  we  should  look  at  things  as  they 
are,  and  not  as  we  would  ha^e  them. 

Whatever  may  be  the  desire  of  the  President  in  this  crisis,  he 
is  powerless  to  relieve  us  from  its  pressure. 

Those  who  look  to  Northern  Democracy  for  any  immediate  re- 
lief, or  for  the  restoration  of  our  political  rights,  will  be  as  much 
disappointed  as  those  who  look  to  negro  slavery  for  the  restoration 
of  our  industrial  interests. 

For  years  to  come  majorities  will  make  and  execute  the  laws, 
and  minorities  North  or  South  will  be  the  sufferers. 

For  weal  or  woe  the  Southern  people  should  stand  together. 

However  disagreeable,  we  should  realize  the  fact,  that,  abstract 
rights  are  among  the  things  of  the  past. 

A  little  common  sense  is  sometimes  as  useful  in  politics,  as  in 
mechanics  or  agriculture. 

But  as  I  say  to  you,  let  political  issues  continue  or  change  as 
they  may,  the  great  interest  of  Virginia  and  indeed  of  the  whole 
South  is,  to  look  to  individual  effort  for  material  advancement, 


[94] 


and  to  push  with  all  the  vigor  we  possess,  the  hammer  and  the 
plough. 

Before  passing  from  this  subject,  I  would  direct  your  attentioH 
to  a  serious  evil,  from  which  very  few,  if  any,  are  entirely  exempt. 

This  evil  is  the  continual  croaking,  in  which  the  press  and  the 
people  have  so  long  indulged,  that  it  has  become  almost  universal. 
One  of  the  principal  causes  that  have  tended  to  aggravate  this 
restless  and  unhappy  spirit  has  been  the  failure  of  Congress  to 
present  any  plan  as  -di  finality,  for  the  practical  restoration  of  the 
country.  In  this  particular  the  plan  now  proposed  is  defective ; 
because  it  leaves  the  people  in  dou1)t  as  to  what  will  be  the  final 
result.  While  many  believe  that  if  the  present  plan  be  accepted 
by  the  South,  restoration,  peace  and  quiet,  will  be  practically  se- 
cured, yet  there  are  others  who  express  fears  and  apprehensions. 
Whatever  be  the  result,  we  should  not  be  unmindful  that  noth- 
ing but  evil  can  come  from  this  constant  manifestation  of  hope- 
lessness and  despair. 

Those  of  us  who  have  made  up  our  minds  to  share  the  fate  of 
Virginia,  whatever  may  be  her  destiny,  cannot  look  with  indif- 
ference on  the  continual  drain  from  the  State  of  her  noblest  and 
best  young  men.  Many  of  these  are  induced  to  this  course  by 
the  repeated  declarations  of  older  heads,  that  their  native  State  is 
ruined  beyond  the  hope  of  redemption  ;  that  Negro  Suffrage  will 
render  her  uninhabitable  for  white  people ;  and  that  nothing  but 
poverty  and  desolation  will  be  left  her. 

This  should  not  be  so.  We  have  other  interests  than  those  of 
politics.  We  should  remember  that  whatever  may  be  the  changes 
in  our  political  condition,  our  soil  remains,  and  our  glorious  cli- 
mate is  beyond  the  influence  of  legislation. 

We  should  not  forget,  that,  in  many  portions  of  the  State,  well 

[95] 


directed  labor  in  the  field  never  gave  larger  net  profits  than  at 
present  ;  and  there  is  a  fair  prospect  for  a  continuance  of  this  in 
future,  whether  she  be  Virginia  or  District  No.  1.  No  country 
in  the  world  offers  greater  inducements  for  industry  and  enter- 
prise in  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts  than  does  Virginia  at 
this  time. 

I  say  it  here,  and  would  say  it  the  world,  that  Virginia  is 
not,  and  carunot  be  ruined,  proscription  or  no  proscription,  ne- 
gro suffrage  or  no  negro  suffrage.  The  day  will  come  Avhen  her 
fields  will  blossom  as  the  rose;  when  the  mechanic  arts  will 
flourish,  and  the  locomotive's  whistle  be  heard  within  her  bord- 
ers, where  they  were  never  known  before. 

I  would  appeal  to  our  noble  young  men.  We  would  speak  to 
them  in  words  of  affection  and  truth.  Be  not  driven  by  these 
croakings  and  evil  prophecies,  from  your  dear  old  mother  State, 
in  the  extremity  of  her  need.  However  great  the  political  op- 
pressions may  seem,  that  now  test  your  indurance,  they  cannot, 
they  will  not,  last  always. 

We  must  devise  systematic  plans  for  progress.  .  The  great  (jues- 
tions,  how  to  secure  labor  and  capital,  must  be  met  practically ; 
and  especially  the  question  of  labor  in  its  broader  aspects.  It  is 
clear  that  we  cannot  develope  Virgiuia  without  a  suitable  and 
sufficient  population.  The  negro  labor  must  soon  pass  away  or 
be  less  available  to  us,  and  we  must  adopt  some  feasible  and  prac- 
tical plan  to  increase  our  population. 

We  shonld,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  make  arrangements 
to  secure  large  numbers  of  the  better  classes  of  European  emi- 
grants, to  settle  and  cultivate  our  unoccupied  lands.  It  is  not 
the  mere  labor  we  want ;  for  if  we  only  sought  how  to  replace 
the  negro  with  white  working  hands,  we  would  necessarily  get  a 


refase  popnlatioD,  the  very  dregs  of  the  old  world,  that  would  be 
of  little  value  as  hireliugs  and  might  prove  a  serious  disadvant- 
age. ^\e  want  an  intelligent  class  of  immigrants  who  will  come 
with  their  families,  and  bring  capital  suflQcient  to  purchase  and 
stock  small  farms,  and  who  will  help  to  make  np  an  industrious 
and  moral  population.  This  is  the  most  important  subject  be- 
fore the  people  of  Virginia  to-day.  Let  the  Legislature  establish, 
under  the  fostering  care  of  the  State,  an  Immigration  Bnreau,  to 
be  administered  by  the  best  talents  of  the  commonwealth.  Let 
that  burean,  by  proper  system,  procure  a  reliable  map  of  each 
county  with  a  full  description  of  soil,  minerals,  &c.  Let  these 
maps  and  descriptions  be  as  exact  as  possible,  and  show  plainly 
the  character  of  soil,  the  products  adapted  to  each,  the  minerals 
if  any  known,  and  how  situated,  the  water  power,  and  how  lo- 
cated, with  the  roads,  canals  and  all  the  facilities  for  transporta- 
tion. From  these  it  would  be  easy  to  get  snch  a  description  and 
such  a  view  of  the  whole  State  as  immigrants  could  understand. 
Accompanying  these,  I  would  invite  a  description,  with  location 
and  quality  and  price,  of  all  the  lands  in  the  State  for  sale  or 
lease,  and  evidence  of  title.  Provided  with  such  a  fund  of  relia- 
ble information,  let  the  bureau  be  empowered  to  send  efficient 
agents  to  Germany  and  other  countries  of  Europe  to  invite  and 
influence  the  right  kind  of  immigrants  to  Virginia.  Let  provis- 
ion  be  made  for  bringing  these  immigrants  directly  here,  without 
passing  through  any  Xorthern  State,  and  thus  avoid  any  contest 
for  their  posession  ;  for  such  as  we  could  thus  secure  would  be 
very  desirable  any  where.  Such  a  system  would  soon  bring  pur- 
chasers of  our  surplus  lands,  and  thickly  dot  the  face  of  the 
country  with  pleasant  and  thrifty  homes.  These  agents  might 
also  induce  men  of  science  and  men  of  capital,  to  bring  machine- 

[9TJ 


ry  and  develope  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  State,  and  save  the  un- 
told strength  of  water  power  from  wasting,  for  want  of  skill,  en- 
tei'prise  and  capital  to  turn  it  to  account. 

It  is  also  certain  that  we  cannot  reach  the  height  of  prosperity 
which  belongs  to  a  great  people,  until  we  provide  for  the  interests 
of  internal  improvement  and  commerce,  on  broad  and  liberal 
principles.  Eailroads  should  be  made  wherever  the  people  desire 
them  and  have  the  means  to  build  them.  The  selfish  policy  of 
monopolists,  and  the  petty  jealousy  of  local  rivalries,  will  always 
impede  such  improvements  ;  but  the  intelligence  of  the  people 
must  be  directed  to  foster  the  largest  public  good. 

The  great  Southern  ports  of  entry,  particularly  the  port  of 
Norfolk,  must  invite  by  energetic  and  sustained  effort,  a  direct 
commerce  with  the  trade  of  the  world,  and  must  secure  without 
the  intervention  of  any  Northern  agency,  all  the  supplies  that  the 
uses  of  men  require.  Much  has  been  already  lost  to  us  because 
our  attention  and  energies  have  been  confined  to  agricultural  sta- 
ples ;  and  the  very  idea  of  entering  the  race  with  the  Northern 
States  for  commercial  development,  is  one  so  new  to  us  that  we 
scarcely  know  where  or  how  to  commence.  But  we  must  begin 
somewhere.  The  facilities  of  transportion,  and  a  free  choice  of 
markets  are  as  necessary  as  the  products  of  the  soil,  and  the  in- 
dustry which  cultivates  it,  in  augmenting  the  profits  of  our  en- 
terprise. We  do  not  propose  to  enter  on  this  new  course  of  action 
from  any  political  motive,  based  on  hate  of  any  other  section, 
but  because  it  is  the  true  interest  of  our  own  State  and  section. 

The  course  of  trade  during  our  old  system  of  slave  labor,  was 
entirely  through  the  agency  of  Northern  harbors,  ships,  and  even 
roads.  It  is  so  now ;  and  under  the  new  condition  of  things,  its 
continuance  must  be  fatal  to  any  real  independence.    If  we  ship 


tobacco  from  Virginia  to  any  Southern  city  it  must  first  go  to 
E"ew  York  there  to  be  re-shipped,  because  there  are  no  Southern 
ports  that  offer  the  facilities  of  a  direct  trade.  Our  necessities 
compel  us  to  this  double  shipment,  and  our  very  interest  makes 
us  pay  this  tribute  to  swell  the  wealth  of  other  States,  because 
even  under  this  burden  we  get  to  our  market  at  a  cheaper  rate 
and  in  a  shorter  time  than  we  can  without  their  agency.  But 
why  not  do  the  work  onrselves,  and  instead  of  giving  the  enormous 
profits  of  the  carrying  trade  to  others  to  build  up  their  wealth 
and  power,  save  it  to  enrich  our  own  people?  It  we  would  pros- 
per we  must  have  the  means  of  direct  transportation  for  South- 
ern products  to  Southern  and  foreign  ports,  in  Southern  vessels. 
When  the  outer  world  sees  that  we  are  in  earnest  to  help  our- 
selves, it  will  come  to  aid,  in  that  only  way  in  which  help  is  de- 
sirable— by  working  with  us.  The  ships  of  other  nations  would 
load  and  unload  side  by  side  with  ours,  in  the  same  harbors,  and 
exchange  friendly  greeting  as  they  hurried  past  on  the  ocean, 
highways.  This  is  a  great  work  in  itself,  and  demands  vital  and 
fundamental  changes  in  our  habits  of  thought  and  action. 

We  need  not  suppose  that  those  who  have  so  long  held  us  in 
commercial  vassalage,  will  be  so  ready  to  give  up  that  system  as 
they  were  to  abolish  African  slavery.  They  will  struggle  to 
retain  the  commercial  mastery ;  but  in  this  matter  our  freedom 
is  in  our  choice.  While  we  should  be  energetic,  we  should  wage 
no  other  than  a  generous  rivalry;  but  they  are  strong  of  hand 
and  of  will,  and  we  shall  require  all  the  strength  we  can  fairly 
command.  We  should  not  spurn  help  from  any  quarter.  When 
good  and  true  men  come  to  settle  among  us,  from  any  section, 
bringing  energy  or  capital,  or  both,  we  should  welcome  them  as 
w^orkers  with  us  for  Southern  prosperity.    It  matters  not  what 

[99] 


may  be  their  prejudices  of  education  or  habit,  or  even  their  sec- 
tional jealousies.  Soon,  very  soon^  under  similar  influences  and 
laboring  for  common  ends,  as  the  same  fire  prepares  two  pieces  of 
iron  far  a  welding  heat,  and  sends  one  glow  and  one  temper 
through  the  whole  uniting  mass,  as  laid  on  the  same  anvil,  the 
merrily  ringing  hammers  announce  the  progress  of  an  enduring 
union — so  shall  these  differences  yield  to  a  common  interest  and 
a  common  feeling,  until  tnose  whojn  they  once  separated  will  al- 
most forget  that  they  had  ever  been  other  than  united.  The 
same  laws  that  would  protect  our  interest  would  protect  theirs 
also,  and  there  could  exist  no  reason  why  their  presence  or  their 
citizenship  should  not  promote  and  strengthen  the  prosperity  and 
real  greatness  of  the  State,  and  aid  and  stimulate  all  in  the  great 
work  we  have  to  do. 

At  the  hazard  of  two  great  length,  I  must  ask  indulgence  for 
a  few  remarks  on  the  subject  of  education.  The  South  has  never 
come  up  to  the  measure  of  duty  in  this  regard.  In  the  schools 
we  have  founded,  but  little  care  has  been  taken  to  provide  for  the 
poorer  classes.  The  colleges  have  been  appropriated  generally  by 
the  rich,  and  the  academies  have  been  wholly  inadequate  to  meet 
the  wants  of  the  people.  To  none  is  a  sound  education  more  im- 
portant than  to  the  mechanic.  How  often  for  the  lack  of  early 
mental  training,  has  he  been  compelled  with  all  the  odds  against 
him,  painfully  to  toil  at  self -instruction ;  while  many,  disheart- 
ened by  the  difficulties  that  beset  them,  have  consented  to  remain 
ill  igDorance.  Now  that  Congress  has  made  liberal  appropria- 
tions to  be  used  for  education,  they  should  not  be  disposed  of 
without  proper  consideration.  Some  wise  plan  should  be  devised 
that  will  place  in  reach  of  all  classes  the  opportunity  of  sound 
instruction  in  practical  know  'e  Ige.    All  our  educational  resources 

[100] 


from  whatever  quarter  should  be  directed  to  work  out  the  ideas 
of  a  new  and  living  age.  To  make  the  Federal  endowment  most 
available,  it  should  be  appropriated  to  a  new  educational  enter- 
prise, designed  to  secure  practical  benefits  to  the  masses. 

Locate  a  college  at  some  central  point,  easy  of  access — either  at 
Richmond,  Petersburg,  Lynchburg  or  Staunton,  but  for  mauy 
re^isons  Richmond  might  be  regarded  as  the  most  eligible — with 
single  and  sincere  purpose  so  to  educate  the  young  men  of  the 
State,  as  to  prepare  them  to  lead  off  in  the  development  of  all  the 
material  interests  of  Virginia.  Attached  to  this  college  might 
be  a  small  farm  so  provided  that  the  students  could  experiment 
with  seeds,  soils,  and  fertilizers,  and  see  and  practically  learn  the 
value  of  all  the  different  kinds  of  labor  saving  machines.  Such 
an  education  should  be  provided  for,  as  will  best  prepare  for  use- 
fulness. And  while  careful  for  this  practical  knowledge,  we 
should  not  neglect  the  advantages  that  are  found  in  the  old  sys- 
tems of  instruction.  We  w^ould  not  give  up  science  for  the 
plough,  but  plough  scientifically.  We  would  not  neglect  math- 
ematics in  order  to  study  machinery,  but  teach  the  youth  the  de- 
pendence of  one  upon  the  other.  How  necessary  for  the  farmer 
to  know  the  constituents  of  the  soil  he  cultivates,  and  w^hat  it 
needs  to  realize  the  largest  harvest  ;  but  scientific  knowledge  is 
required  for  such  analysis. 

A  gentlemen  of  Virginia,  who,  before  the  war,  was  an  able  pro- 
fessor in  the  Military  Institute,  seeing  the  great  need  of  increas- 
ing the  production  of  the  soil,  as  the  best  means  of  bringing  hope 
and  prosperity  to  the  people,  determined  to  devote  himself  to  this 
end,  and  is  now  applying  his  educated  mind  to  the  compounding 
of  fertilizers  adapted  to  the  various  soils  and  productions  of  Vir- 
ginia and  the  whole  south ;  and  is  thus  probably  doing  more  th^n 

[101] 


any  other  one  man  to  speed  the  progress  of  our  agricultural  in- 
terest. This  gentleman  is  Col.  William  Gilham,  chemist  of  the 
Southern  Fertilizing  Company  of  Richmond.  Such  knowledge 
as  he  possesses  should  be  made,  through  the  schools,  the  com- 
mon possession  of  our  people.  Every  farmer  should  know  how 
to  apply  to  his  own  soils,  the  tests  that  science  furnishes  and  feel 
that  he  is  not  bestowing  labor  and  capital  at  random. 

Let  us  establish  a  college  such  as  referred  to,  under  the  foster- 
ing care  of  the  State.  Then,  when  she  shall  be  relieved  of  her 
present  political  troubles,  and  start  out  on  a  new  career  of  pros- 
perity and  power,  she  can  with  small  expenditure  extend  a  uni- 
form system  over  the  whole  State,  by  the  establishment  of  pri- 
mary schools,  and  thus  put  new  life  into  the  masses  of  her  people, 
as  education  shall  become  the  common  posession  of  all. 

Let  these  things  be  done  and  Virginia  would  soon  show  signs 
of  improvement  that  would  be  permanent ;  and  soon,  in  place  of 
bushes,  briers,  broom  grass  and  ruins,  as  seen  along  many  of  our 
railroads  and  public  highways  at  this  time,  there  would  be  wealth, 
strength,  capital  and  influence,  even  though  she  still  remained 
politically  powerless. 

But  I  must  close  this  address.  Your  association  now  in  its 
infancy,  has,  we  may  hope,  a  future  of  prosperity;  and  I  trust 
that  its  riper  experience  will  exhibit  rich  returns  to  its  members, 
in  accumulated  stores  of  wisdom,  and  the  practical  knowledge 
that  benefits  the  moral  life,  elevates  the  character,  and  leads  to 
independence.  I  doubt  not  you  will  seek  to  lay  your  plans  wise- 
ly but  plan  as  you  may,  without  the  co-operation  of  woman  you 
cannot  succeed.  The  kindly,  gentle  influence  of  woman  is  too 
little  regarded  as  a  power  ;  and  yet  to  her  must  we  look  not  mere- 
ly to  adorn  and  grace  the  pageant  when  we  are  victors  in  the  life 

[102] 


struggle,  but  to  go  with  us,  step  by  step,  up  every  weary  hilL 
Full  often  the  only  brightness  in  the  gloom,  comes  from  her 
smiles,  and  the  only  word  of  cheer  that  lightens  labor  comes  from 
her  lips.  That  man  knoAvs  but  little  of  the  springs  of  human 
action,  who  does  not  give  to  woman  a  large  place  as  a  worker 
with  him  in  his  plans  for  success.  The  wdfe  keeps  the  key  of  the 
house,  and  as  she  wills,  it  is  often  determined  whether  prosperi- 
ty or  adversity  shall  come  in.  A  poor  man  struggling  and  saving, 
with  a  wife  carelessly  or  extravagantly  squandering,  is  a  sight  al- 
most as  much  to  be  deplored,  and  Avhich  as  much  precludes  all 
ideas  of  success  in  life,  as  if  he  were  to  be  seen  worse  than  wasting 
his  earnings  in  revelry,  while  her  youth  aud  affection  were  fading 
out  in  the  lonely  toil,  of  a  dreary  home.  They  must  work  to- 
gether. When  he  saves  she  must  save.  When  care  and  toil  bear 
heavy  on  him,  she  can  inspire  him  with  strength  for  the  need. 
Seldom  will  woman  fail  to  be  a  helper  to  him  who  is  worthy  of 
her.  It  is  not  just  to  her  nature  or  her  worth,  to  treat  her  as  a 
mere  thing  of  beauty,  or  as  a  toy  for  pleasure.  Give  her,  as  be- 
longs to  her,  a  higher  position  than  this.  Her  place  is  by  your 
side  te  strengthen,  to  encourage,  to  labor  wdth  you  in  the  dusty, 
sultry  heat,  and  comfort  and  sustain  you  when  the  way  is  cold 
and  dreary.  The  true  woman  will  not  thank  you  for  making  her 
an  idol  for  romance  to  worship ;  but  she  asks  to  share  whatever 
is  of  value  and  honor  to  man  in  the  struggles  and  in  the  homes 
of  earth,  as  both  her  right  and  her  glory.  Let  woman  feel  that 
you  honor  her  for  her  worth,  that  you  respect  her  rights  and  wdll 
defend  them,  and  with  the  certainty  of  intuition,  she  wdll  honor 
and  respect  you.  And  when  with  this  feeling,  she  goes  with  you 
in  the  joyousness  of  her  youth  from  the  vows  of  the  altar  to  the 
dnties  of  a  new  home,  with  the  constancy  of  the  sun  she  will 

[103] 


cherish  and  comfort  you.  And  the  fair  maidens,  the  danghf-ers 
of  guch  mothers,  who  look  to  you,  young  men,  so  lovely ;  who 
bring  back  to  you  your  dreams  of  angels  ;  for  whose  smiles  you 
sigh,  and  whose  hearts,  it  is  your  first  and  most  fervent  wish  to 
possess ;  when  these  look  on  you  and  think  of  you  as  mechanics, 
it  will  be  to  honor  you.  They  will  know  that  they  can  lean  with- 
out fear:  where  there  is  strength  to  support,  and  feel  that  their 
earthly  happiness  will  be  safe  in  the  keeping  of  your  energy  and 
truth. 

Addressing  you  both  as  mechanics  and  as  men,  I  make  as  a  last, 
but  by  no  means  the  least  important  suggestion,  that  you  should 
carefully  remember  the  truth  which  the  homely  old  adage  teaches 
us  :  "What  is  worth  doing  at  all  is  worth  doing  well."  There 
is  much  more  in  this  than  appears  on  its  face,  to  the  careless  ob- 
server. Doing,  and  doing  loell,  are  not  always  comp;inions.  It  is 
doing  well  that  makes  results  valuable.  It  is  this  which  makes 
that  superiority  in  men  which  we  call  greatness.  It  is  this  which 
invites  and  then  secures  confidence  in  a  man's  integrity,  and 
stamps  on  his  pretensions  the  seal  of  ability.  There  is  no  one, 
however  humble,  who  may  not  elevate  his  character  by  adherence 
to  this  maxim,  and  the  wisest  and  best  may  profit  by  its  truth. 

Thus,  with  what  ability  I  possess,  I  have  presented  thoughts 
that  appear  to  me  of  value  to  us  all.  Another  standing  in  my 
place,  might  counsel  you  in  phrase  of  better  choice,  but  none  with 
more  earnest  desire  for  your  welfare  and  improvement.  I  feel 
that  our  interests  are  one,  and  that  w^e  are  mutually  dependent. 
Why  should  we  not  take  counsel  together  in  the  darkness  that 
envelops  the  land  ?  We  may  caution  each  other  of  the  perils  of 
the  way,  and  even  through  the  gloom  may  call  to  one  another 
with  words  of  cheer,  and  natural  encouragement  patiently  to  toil 

[104] 


on  u-ntil  we  emerge  into  the  better  light  that  will  reward  our 
waiting  and  working,  and  bid  ns  rejoice  together  at  the  return  of 
gladness  and  prosperity. 


It  has  been  recorded  that  Majoe  Sutheelix  took  a  warm 
interest  in  Randolph-Macon  College.  In  1872  he  establish- 
ed the  "Sntherlin  Medal"  for  oratory.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  trustee  of  the  College,  and  was  a  trustee  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  was  invited  by  the  members  of  the  Wash- 
ington and  Franklin  Literary  Societies  to  deliver  an  address 
before  them  in  the  Commencement  session  of  1880.  He 
did  so,  and  the  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Address  : 

Officers  finrJ  Memher-^  of  flie  WasJiinglon  and  FraMin  Literary 
Societies,  and  Lodies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  was  with  much  hesitation  that  I  accepted  your  kind  invitation 
to  address  you  on  this  interestiug  occasion  :  not  that  I  was  reluc- 
tant to  serve  you  in  any  way  that  I  felt  able,  but  from  a  distrust 
of  my  ability  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  occasion. 

Your  invitation  naturally  brought  to  my  mind  the  extended 
renown  of  this  time-honored  seat  of  learnino-.  I  thouo-ht  of  her 
many  distinguished  sons  scattered  throughout  the  land,  in  nearly 
every  State  of  this  Union,  Xorth,  South,  East  and  AVest,  and 
some  in  foreign  lands,  who  have  achieved  honors  and  fame,  whose 
reflected  lustre  illuminates  the  renown  of  their  beloved  Alma 
mater. 

I  thought,  too,  of  the  intellectual,  cultivated  and  appreciative 
audiences  usually  attending  your  commencement  exercises,  and  I 

[lOoJ 


considered  how  difficult  it  would  be  for  me  to  give  you  an  address 
which,  in  interest  and  entertainment,  would  measure  up  to  the 
expectations  of  such  an  audience.  I  could  not  but  feel  the  disad- 
vantages under  which  he  labors  who  has  not  had  the  good  fortune 
to  share  in  the  great  benefits  which  this  noble  insiitution  of  learn- 
ing confers  upon  those  who  have  been  educated  within  her  walls  ; 
as  I  naturally  shrank  from  the  comparison  of  my  efforts  with  the 
brilliant  abilities  of  the  college-bred  speakers  who  have  addressed 
you  on  former-like  occasions. 

And  yet  it  is  a  pleasing  reflection,  that,  although  my  youthful 
days  were  spent  in  the  arduous  pursuits  of  life  far  different  from 
the  refining  influences  of  college  halls,  yet,  the  devotion  of  my 
maturer  years  to  the  present  of  dear  old  Eandolph-Macon,  has 
proven  my  appreciation  of  her  noble  character. 

Though  she  was  not  the  "cherishing  mother"  of  my  youth, 
yet,  I  hope  that  my  twenty-five  years  of  sincere  devotion  to  her 
welfare  may  allow  me  to  claim  her  as  my  alma  mater  by  adop- 
tion, and  to  hold  her  in  the  tender  regard  of  at  least  an  affection- 
ate step-son. 

As  my  life  has  been  devoted  almost  exclusively  to  business 
enterprises,  having  for  their  object  the  development  of  the  mate- 
rial interests  of  the  country,  I  take  it  that  you  have  ventured  up- 
on a  new  departure  in  inviting  me  to  address  you  on  this  occas- 
ion, and  that  you  expect  me  to  give  you  a  practical  talk  rather 
than  a  literary  or  a  scientific  address.  However  far  I  may  fall 
short  of  your  expectations  in  other  respects,  in  this  particular,  at 
least,  I  hope  I  shall  not  disappoint  you. 

Virginia  has  been  distinguished  for  her  devotion  to  higher  ed- 
ucation from  her  earliest  days  till  the  present.  Even  when  she 
was  but  a  Colony  under  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown,  the  col- 

[106] 


lege  of  William  and  Mary  was  established  at  her  Colonial  Capi- 
tal; and  more  than  a  century  ago  it  was  her  pride  to  nourish  and 
send  forth  her  sons,  fully  equipped  to  grapple  with  the  intellect- 
ual giants  of  the  old  world.  Steadily  since  then  has  she  pressed 
forward  in  the  noble  cause  of  education,  and  to-day  she  can  boast 
of  her  University,  her  Military  Institute,  her  Agricultural  and 
Mechanical  college,  and  her  several  Normal  Colleges,  established 
and  supported  by  appropriations  from  the  treasury ;  and  I  may 
extend  the  illustrious  list,  by  adding  the  name  of  Washington 
and  Lee  University,  Emory  and  Henry  College,  Hampden  Sidney, 
Richmond  College,  Eoanoke  and  other  colleges,  besides  dear  old 
Eandolpli-Macon  ;  and  also  her  numerous  colleges  and  other  in- 
stitutions, in  all  parts  of  the  State,  for  the  education  of  her 
daughters,  besides  her  many  High  schools  for  both  sexes,  of  less 
prominence,  perhaps,  but  of  no  less  value  and  usefulness  in  the 
cause  of  education.  With  such  an  array  of  seats  of  learning  and 
facilities  for  education,  our  old  Dominion  may  justly  claim  to  be 
the  peer  of  any  sister  State  in  educational  advantages,  and  boast 
the  honor  and  benefit  of  possessing  some  of  the  most  eminent 
scientists  and  educators  in  the  world. 

In  addition  to  her  Universities  and  her  numerous  colleges  and 
high  schools.  Virginia  has  established  and  maintains  at  public 
expense,  a  most  extensive  and  enlightened  system  of  public  free 
schools,  which  are  gradually  growing  in  favor  among  all  classes 
of  her  people,  and  give  promise,  at  no  distant  day,  to  supply  the 
place  of  the  private  schools  of  corresponding  grade.  For  the 
support  of  these  free  schools,  Virginia  expended  $1,535,289.11 
out  of  her  revenues  last  year:  7,161  male  and  female  teachers 
were  employed,  and  325,184:  children,  white  and  colored  received 
instruction. 

[107J 


These  numerous  and  valuable  educational  facilities  must,  in 
the  near  future,  produce  a  wonderful  improvement  in  the  intelli- 
gence, progress  and  growth  of  the  State. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  University,  the  Military  Institute 
and  the  Normal  colleges  are  supported  in  large  part  by  direct  ap- 
propriations from  the  State  treasury,  and  that  the  State  makes 
liberal  provisions  for  the  education  of  a  large  number  of  her 
sons  at  those  institutions  without  change,  comparatively  speak- 
ing, for  tuition,  and  it  is  sometimes  asked  what  necessity  is  there 
for  Kandolph-Macon  and  other  denominational  colleges,  which 
have  to  be  maintained  in  such  large  part  by  private  contribu- 
tions ?  I  think  I  can  truly  say  for  Eandolph-Macon  that  she  is 
supported  mainly  by  the  Methodists  of  Virginia  and  Baltimore 
conferenc3S,  because  they  feel  it  to  be  important  that  there  shall 
be  a  seat  of  learning  like  this,  where  young-men  identified  with 
the  church  of  their  fathers  cannot  only  secure  a  thorough  colle- 
giate education,  but  at  the  same  time  receive  a  faithful  training 
in  the  truths  of  revealed  religion  under  the  guidance  and  instruc- 
tion of  an  able  and  God-fearing  faculty,  who  not  only  strive  to 
store  the  student's  mind  with  secular  learning,  but  also  fill  his 
heart  with  the  love  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  If  this  reason  for 
the  existence  of  this  grand  old  institution  needed  any  Qudorse- 
ment,  it  would  be  found  in  the  fact  that  she  has  furnished  the 
private  walks  of  life  with  many  illustrious  examples  of  piety, 
and  the  pulpit  with  many  of  the  noblest,  purest,  and  ablQst 
preachers  of  their  day.  That  the  blessing  of  God  has  been  be- 
stowed upon  the  colleges  of  the  Methodist  and  other  churches,  in 
all  parts  of  the  country  filled  by  her  devoted  sons. 

Not  only  do  her  sons  fill  many  of  the  highest,  as  well  as  the 
most  useful  positions  in  the  church  throughout  the  country,  but 

[108] 


they  are  also  found  in  the  halls  of  legislation,  on  the  bench,  in 
all  the  learned  professions,  and  in  every  prominent  and  honorable 
position  and  vocation,  many  of  them  carrying  through  life  the 
religious  impressions  made  upon  their  youthful  minds  by  the 
teachings  and  examples  of  the  Christian  men  from  whom  they 
received  their  daily  instruction  within  these  walls. 

The  college  is  entrenched  in  the  affections  of  its  patrons  and 
supporters,  and  stands  forth  to-day  in  all  her  glory,  surrounded 
by  her  admiring  friends,  a  bright  star  in  the  galaxy  of  the  insti- 
tutions of  learning,  with  a  future  as  brilliant  as  the  noon- day 
sun.  Verily,  she  is  a  child  of  providence:  "a  house  built  upon 
a  rock"  and  cannot  fall. 

The  earliest  history  of  education  in  Virginia,  to  which  I  have 
already  referred,  is  a  proud  monument  to  the  glory  of  her  peo- 
ple, but  it  may  be  useful  to  remember  that  the  educational  ad- 
yantages  of  those  early  years  were  sought  almost  exclusively  by 
such  young  men  as  were  destined  for  what  were  called  the  learned 
professions,  such  as  law  and  medicine.  For  a  farmer's  or  mer- 
chant's son,  who  intended  to  follow  the  vocation  of  his  father,  the 
simplest  rudiments  of  education  were  considered  sufficient.  But 
many  and  rapid  have  been  the  changes  in  Virginia  in  this  res- 
pect since  those  early  days.  And  while  a  higher  order  of  educa- 
tion has  become  more  general  among  our  people,  it  is  especially 
gratifying  that  the  great  benefits  derived  therefrom  are  enjoyed 
by  the  masses  in  the  aid  afforded  for  the  development  of  their 
practical  interests.  Higher  education  has  thus  become  the  re- 
fined and  refining  hand-maid  of  industry,  and  is  made  subservi- 
ent to  the  advancement  of  the  people  in  the  common  affairs  of 
business  and  domestic  life. 

In  this  view,  I  do  not  think  I  could  do  you  a  better  service 

[109] 


than  to  direct  your  attention  to  the  great  value  of  education  as  a 
help  to  success  in  the  practical  pursuits  of  life. 

In  former  days,  as  I  have  already  remarked,  it  was  not  deemed 
necessary  that  a  young  man  should  receive  more  than  an  ordinary 
English  education  unless  he  intended  to  devote  himself  to  pro- 
fessional pursuits  ;  yet,  even  under  those  conditions,  there  were 
many  young  men  who  received  a  college  education  but  could 
find  no  field  at  home  for  the  employment  of  such  advantages, 
and  it  was  only  by  emigrating  to  more  inviting  fields  in  the  great 
west,  that  they  could  utilize  the  advantages  their  liberal  educa- 
tion gave  them. 

Many  of  them  did,  in  this  way,  find  positions  in  remote  regions 
where  they  made  themselves  useful  and  became  eminent  and 
Taluable  citizens,  reflecting  great  credit  upon  their  mother  State, 
by  filling  stations  of  the  highest  honor  and  trust,  both  State  and 
national,  in  the  homes  of  their  adoption.  But  those  large  and 
inviting  fields  in  other  sections  are  now  being  pretty  generally 
filled  by  their  own  sons,  who  are  educated  at  the  numerous  col- 
leges established  in  the  last  few  years  within  their  own  borders, 
and  this  necessarily  curtails  the  draft  upon  Virginia  and  the 
other  older  States  for  educated  men  to  fill  the  various  positions 
and  professions  there  required. 

It  is  true  that  Virginia  is  now  supplying  many  of  these  new 
institutions  in  other  sections  with  valuable  and  useful  members 
of  their  faculties,  but  it  is  only  natural  to  presume  that  even 
those  positions  will  hereafter  be  filled  by  men  brought  up  and 
educated  in  the  several  localities  in  which  these  new  colleges  are 
situated. 

But  it  is  equally  true,  that  whilst  the  opportunities  elsewhere 
for  the  educated  young  men  of  Virginia  may  have  been  lessened? 

[110] 


such  has  been  the  progress  and  growth  of  the  country  in  all  its 
material  interests,  that  new  fields  for  their  employment  have  been 
opened.  The  railroad  lines  and  the  numerous  manufacturing 
enterprises  springing  up  in  every  part  of  the  country,  present  un- 
numbered opportunities  and  make  unlimited  demands  for  young 
men  of  the  highest  order  of  education  and  scientific  knowledge 
for  their  perfect  development  and  success.  The  assurance  thus 
afforded  that  their  services  w^ill  be  needed  should  stimulate  the 
young  men  of  the  present  day  to  strive  for  the  highest  attain- 
ments in  knowledge  and  learning. 

In  railroad  construction  lines  have  been  opened  and  are  in  suc- 
cessful operation  that  were  regarded  in  former  times  as  utterly 
impracticable,  and  this  has  been  done  by  means  of  scientific 
knowledge,  heretofore  unknown,  or  at  least  not  applied.  In  fact, 
engineering  and  architecture  have  been  so  advanced  in  recent 
years  that  their  seems  to  be  no  difficulty  in  their  line  that  cannot 
be  overcome.  No  higher  honor  can  be  attained  by  any  man  than 
to  become  a  master  in  these  professions.  The  knowledge  and 
skill  of  the  engineer  and  architect  are  not  only  useful  and  neces- 
sary in  the  construction  of  railroads,  but  they  are  also  absolutely 
essential  in  the  successful  establishment  of  every  plant  for  manu- 
facturing and  other  enterprises.  Xo  individual  or  company  will 
entertain  the  idea  of  engaging  in  such  industries  without  first  se- 
curing the  aid  of  some  engineer  and  architect,  eminent  in  his 
profession,  to  examine  the  site  and  furnish  plans  for  the  super- 
structure and  machinery. 

There  are  also  to-day  thousands  of  men  of  the  highest  learning 
and  scientific  knowledge  Avho  are  constantly  employed  in  the  in- 
vestigation and  study  of  new  devices  and  means  to  cheapen  the 
cost  of  production  and  increase  the  profit  to  the  producer  of  the 

[111] 


various  articles  made  and  consumed  in  this  and  other  coimtries. 

Geology  is  also  furnishing  one  of  the  largest  and  most  import- 
ant fields  for  tne  scientific  research  of  man,  and  it  is  through  his 
intelligent  and  laborious  investigation  in  that  field  that  the  vari- 
ous articles  created  by  God  for  the  use  of  man,  but  hitherto  hid- 
den in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  are  being  brought  to  light  and 
utilized. 

The  great  advance  in  the  science  of  chemistry  is  enabling  us 
to-day  to  use  many  and  various  substances  with  great  profit  that 
were  heretofore  considered  valueless. 

The  manufacture  and  practical  use  of  electricity  seem  to  have 
been  left  for  the  most  part  to  the  men  of  this  generation,  and 
they  have  discovered  its  utility  and  applied  it. 

It  is  only  within  recent  years  that  scientists  have  advanced  suf- 
ficiently in  the  knowledge  of  nature's  laws  as  to  be  able  to  fore- 
tell with  some  degree  of  accuracy  the  changes  of  the  weather 
twenty-four  hours  and  more  in  advance  of  their  coming. 

By  like  advances,  the  telephone,  the  art  of  stenography,  type- 
writing and  other  like  inventions  have  been  discovered  and 
brought  into  practical,  every-day  use. 

I  might  goon  and  enumerate  many  other  useful  discoveries, 
which  are  the  products  of  the  educated  and  scientific  mind,  to 
cheapen  and  improve  the  facilities  for  transacting  business  in 
every  department  of  life. 

Not  only  have  the  discoveries  thus  made  by  the  industrious 
and  laborious  efforts  of  the  man  of  education  and  scientific 
knowledge  been  attained  and  applied  to  the  urban  arts  of  life, 
but  we  also  see  that  by  the  same  process  improved  machinery  and 
implements  have  been  provided  for  the  agriculturist  by  which  he 
is  enabled  to  vastly  increase  the  production  of  the  soil  at  greatly 

[112] 


reduced  cost.  By  this  higher  order  of  education  and  scientific 
investigation  the  tiller  of  the  soil  has  not  only  been  enabled  to 
improve  his  methods  of  cultivating,  but  he  has  also  been  enabled 
the  better  to  select  his  seed  for  planting  and  to  improve  their 
quality.  He  has  also  been  enabled  to  improve  the  breeds  of  the 
various  domestic  animals  with  which  his  farm  is  stocked. 

So  marvellous,  indeed,  is  the  success  of  recent  increase  in  pro- 
duction and  improvement  in  modes  of  cultivating,  that  a  few 
years  ago  it  would  have  been  regarded  as  incredible  and  impossible. 

In  view  of  such  astonishing  results  by  enlarged  learning  in 
these  last  few  years  in  the  respects  mentioned,  we  are  led  to 
think  that  the  mind  of  man  is  capable  of  accomplishing  almost 
anything  in  the  future. 

Who  can  tell  what  new  discoveries  may  be  made  in  the  next 
few  years? 

Our  Universities  and  Colleges  are  straining  every  energy  to  ad- 
vance all  the  various  branches  of  learning,  and  are  vieing  with 
each  other  in  their  efforts  to  attain  the  highest  possible  standard 
in  all  branches  of  educational  and  scientific  knowledge.  I  might 
enlarge  upon  this  view  of  the  situation,  because  it  embraces  the 
very  foundation  and  basis  of  the  moral  structure,  which  in  the 
future  is  to  give  to  the  American  people  the  ascendency  over  all 
other  countries  in  progress,  kno  wledge  and  the  arts  of  civilization. 

May  I  not  pause  here  to  ask,  is  it  any  wonder  that  I,  and  other 
men  who  did  not  share  in  early  life  in  the  benefits  and  advan- 
tages conferred  by  these  noble  institutions  of  learning,  should 
advocate  and  desire  their  greatest  prosperity  and  usefulness? 

But,  young  gentlemen,  we  must  remember  that  wliile  the  op- 
portunities to  reach  the  highest  poiut  of  eminence  in  the  various 
professions  and  scientific  pursuits  of  life  are  open  t©  all  in  this 

[113J 


free  country  of  ours,  the  great  mass  of  mankind,  including  a  vast 
number  of  the  most  highly  educated  men,  fall  far  short  of  suc- 
cess in  life. 

In  many  cases  this  results  from  the  failure  to  adopt  some  fixed 
profession  or  calling.  Few  men  ever  attain  eminence  in  more 
than  one  thing.  To  attain  success  it  is  necessary  to  adopt  some 
one  calling  and  study  and  iabor  to  succeed  in  that,  supplement- 
ing, of  course,  your  knowledge  in  such  other  matters  as  will  as- 
sist you  in  the  prosecution  of  your  one  single  calling.  Your  edu- 
cation should  be  directed,  as  far  as  practicable,  along  such  lines 
as  will  assist  you  in  accomplishing  the  greatest  usefulness  and 
success  in  your  chosen  pursuit.  It  may,  indeed,  be  not  unwise 
to  study  and  acquire  a  knowledge  of  all  the  various  branches  of 
learning,  if  abundant  time  and  opportunity  will  permit  it,  but 
you  should  never  fail  to  economize  your  time  so  as  to  devote  most 
of  it  and  expend  your  most  ardent  energies  in  prosecuting  those 
branches  of  study  which  relate  especially  to  that  vocation  which 
you  intend  to  adopt.  It  is  but  too  frequently  the  case  that  we 
see  young  men  who  have  graduated  in  all  the  branches  of  edu- 
cation usually  taught  in  the  colleges,  and  yet  are  unfit  for  any 
one  of  the  practical  duties  of  life.  A  friend  of  mine  not  long 
since,  desired  the  services  of  an  assistant  to  aid  him  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  daily  routine  business.  A  college-bred  young  gen- 
tleman, who  had  just  graduated,  proudly  presented  his  diploma 
and  offered  for  the  place,  but  my  friend  had  to  decline  this  young 
gentleman's  offer  because  he  was  not  qualified  to  perform  any  of 
the  duties  required  of  him.  It  is  not  always  a  fact,  as  is  gener- 
ally supposed,  that  education  makes  tht^  man.  It  sometimes 
makes  the  fool.  It  no  more  makes  the  man  than  declamation 
makes  the  orator.  - 

■  ^  [114]  ■ 


I  once  employed  a  young  man  because  he  was  a  graduate  of  an 
Agricultural  College,  but  I  very  soon  ascertained  that  there  was 
nothing  about  the  farm  which  he  could  do.  He  had  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  theory  of  farming,  but  had  none  of  the  qualifi- 
cations to  put  it  into  practice.    He  had  mistaken  his  calling. 

It  might  not  be  amiss  to  say  right  here,  that  I  think  many  of 
jOur  colleges  would  be  materially  improved  if  they  would  enlarge 
their  curriculum  so  as  to  embrace  more  of  the  subjects  of  study 
relating  to  practical  life,  so  that  a  young  man  might  select  such 
studies  as  would  best  fit  him  for  the  business  in  life  which  he 
intends  to  follow.  Especially  does  this  seem  necessary  to  me  be- 
cause so  many  of  our  young  men  are  without  the  means  to  take  a 
full  collegiate  course. 

While  all  these  things  are  true,  it  is  admitted  that  no  one  can 
become  really  great  in  all  the  elements  which  constitute  the  high- 
est type  of  man  without  a  thorough  education. 

The  real  man  is  like  the  rough  granite,  and  it  takes  the  chisel^ 
the  hammer  and  the  polish  to  give  him  a  perfect  finish. 
.  And  yet,  some  of  the  most  eminently  successful  men  that  this 
country  has  produced  never  went  to  college  at  all.  It  may  not 
be  out  of  place  for  me  to  mention  a  few  of  such  men,  who,  with- 
out the  aid  of  collegiate  education,  have  rendered  their  names 
distinguished  by  their  eminent  success  in  life. 

George  Peabody,  w^ho  neveir  attended  a  college,  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  list  as  the  greatest  philanthropist  who  ever  lived  or 
died  in  this  or  any  other  country.  His  name  will  ever  live  in  the 
history  and  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  as  the  most  generous  and 
liberal  benefactor  of  this  or  any  other  age.  His  great  financial 
ability  enabled  him,  through  a  kind  Providence,  to  accumulate 
an  immense  fortune.    During  his  lifetime  he  donated  several 

[lloj 


millions  of  dollars  for  the  relief  of  suffering  and  destitute  hu- 
manity. He  also  appropriated  millions  of  dollars  to  educational 
purposes,  the  chief  part  of  which  he  appropriated  for  "the  pro- 
motion and  encouragement  of  intellectual,  moral,  and  industrial 
education  among  the  young  of  the  more  destitute  portions  of  the 
Southern  and  Southwestern  States  of  the  Union." 

Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  commonly  called  Commodore  Vander- 
bilt,  of  New  York,  was  a  man  of  great  natural  abilities,  but  of 
so  little  education  that  he  could  not  write  a  note  of  ten  lines 
without  misspelling  several  words  and  committing  many  inaccu- 
racies of  grammar. 

One  night  he  was  deploring  this  deficiency  to  his  friend  and 
pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  Deems.  The  Doctor  asked  him  if  he  found  his 
lack  of  education  an  embarrassment  to  him  in  his  business  inter- 
course? He  said  he  always  felt  it  when  dealing  with  men  who 
had  not  a  fourth  of  his  natural  sense,  but  could  express  their 
ideas  properly.  This,  he  said,  was  especially  the  case  with  him 
when  he  was  in  England. 

"Then  it  is  unfortunate"  said  the  Doctor,  that  you  have  such 
sentiments,  for  I  do  not  know  any  man  who  stands  in  the  way  of 
popular  education  as  you  do.  The  Commodore  was  surprised 
and  pained  at  this  remark  of  his  pastor,  and  asked  him  what  he 
meant  by  it.  Dr.  Deems  told  him  there  were  hundreds  of  young 
men,  some  of  whom  he  knew  personally,  who  said  that  an  educa- 
tion was  not  needful,  and  appealed  to  the  immense  success  of 
Commodore  Vanderbilt  to  prove  it,  as  he  had  been  an  uneducated 
boy  who  had  made  himself  a  millionaire,  and  founded  a  rich 
family.  The  Doctor  also  told  him  that  thousands  would  take 
refuge  behind  his  name  to  neglect  education  after  he  was  dead 
and  gone.       -  .  .  • 

[116] 


The  old  Commodore  protested  that  he  would  not  have  that  to 
occur  on  any  account ;  he  did  not  want  generations  to  think  him 
a  lucky  fool.  He  appealed  to  Dr.  Deems  to  tell  him  how  such  a 
catastrophe  could  be  avoided,  and  the  Doctor  told  him  that  the 
most  complete,  conclusive  and  permanent  refutatioji  would  he 
the  setting  aside  of  a  million  of  dollars  to  found  a  Universitv 
bearing  his  name. 

He  afterwards  determined  to  do  so  if  the  proper  men  could  be 
found  to  take  charge  of  the  enterprise,  and  we  know  that  Dr. 
Deems  did  find  the  right  man  in  a  distinguished  alumums  of 
Eaudolph-Macon  College,  Bishop  McTyeire.  The  accumulated 
wealth  of  this  uneducated,  but  eminently  successful  man,  was  esti- 
mated at  between  $80,000,000  and  $100,000,000,  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

The  philanthropist,  Johns  Hopkins,  of  Maryland,  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy  eight  years,  possessed  of  more  than  $10,000,000, 
acquired  by  his  own  efforts.  He  worked  upon  his  father's  farm 
near  Baltimore,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  never  had 
any  of  the  advantages  of  education.  About  six  years  before  his 
death  he  gave  $3,500,000  to  found  the  Johns  Hopkins  University 
at  Baltimore,  which  embraces  schools  of  law,  medicine,  science 
and  agriculture  and  publishes  the  results  of  the  researches  of 
students  and  professors. 

Samuel  Miller,  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  was  an  orphan  boy  born  in 
Albemarle  county.  When  quite  a  young  man  he  located  in  Lynch- 
burg, and  by  his  industry  and  frugality,  but  without  education, 
he  amassed  great  wealth  and  died  a  millionaire,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven  years.  By  his  will  he  left  the  bulk  of  his  wealth, 
amounting  to  over  a  million  and  a  quarter  of  dollars  to  his  native 
pounty,  in  a  fund  which  he  denominated  "The  Miller  Fund"  to 

[117] 


found  that  magnificent  monument  to  his  philanthropy  which  has 
been  established  in  his  native  county  and  is  known  as  '^The  Mil- 
ler Manual  Labor  School." 

To  this  institution  are  admitted  the  poor  orphan  children  and 
other  white  children  whose  parents  are  unable  to  educate  them. 
Now  there  are  eleven  teachers  and  two  hundred  and  forty  pupils 
in  the  school — one  hundred  and  seventy-four  boys  and  sixty- six 
girls,  all  of  whom  are  clothed,  fed,  taught  and  cared  for  wholly 
at  the  expense  of  the  school. 

Mr.  James  Thomas,  of  Richmond,  was  another  Virginian,  who, 
without  the  advantages  of  collegiate  education,  died  a  million- 
aire. In  addition  to  large  donations  to  his  church,  he  contributed 
|50,000  to  the  endowment  fund  of  Richmond  College. 

Governor  David  L.  Swain  of  ^^orth  Carolina,  never  had  any 
college  training  but  he  raised  himself  to  such  eminence  in  the  es- 
timation of  his  fellow  citizens  that  they  made  him  their  Governor 
and  afterwards  president  of  their  State  University  at  Chapel  Hill. 
It  has  been  jocularly  said  of  him  that  North  Carolina  made  him 
Governor  and  then  sent  him  to  her  University  to  be  educated. 

This  honorable  list  might  be  lengthened  out  by  adding  many 
like  instances,  but  I  have  confined  myself  to  a  few  persons  who 
have  lived  and  died  in  our  day.  These  are  sufficient,  however,  to 
show  that  these  men  who  have  achieved  noted  success  in  this  coun- 
try without  the  advantages  of  collegiate  education,  have,  without 
an  exception  as  far  as  I  can  recall  them  to  memory,  left  unmis- 
takable evidence  of  their  desire  to  promote  the  liberal  education 
of  those  who  were  to  come  after  them. 

I  may  be  permitted  to  state  that  I  was  present,  many  years  ago, 
at  a  meeting  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a  very  important  paper. 
Several  of  the  committee  were  men  of  the  most  thorough  educa- 

[118] 


tioii,  but  one  short  sentence  gave  great  trouble  in  expression  of 
the  thought  and  idea  intended  to  be  conveyed,  and  many  were 
the  efforts  made  to  convey  the  exact  idea  desired,  all  of  which 
failed,  and  the  only  uneducated  man  present  constructed  the  sen- 
tence to  meet  the  views  of  all,  and  the  most  brilliant  man  in  the 
committee  remarked  "You  have  struck  exactly  the  idea  but  it  is 
bad  grammar,"  when  the  uneducated  man  remarked  "If  I  have 
furnished  the  sense  you  can  supply  the  g7'cmimar.^^ 

I  think  I  can  truly  say  that  the  more  ^education  a  young  man 
has  the  better  are  his  chances  for  success  in  life. 

Young  gentlemen,  some  of  you  close  your  collegiate  course  with 
the  end  of  this  session.  You  will  receive  your  diplomas  and  go 
forth  into  the  world  to  contend  with  the  labor,  care,  and  conflicts 
of  life.  If  you  have  not  already  done  so,  I  would  respectfully 
recommend  that,  after  carefully  considering  the  question,  you  se- 
select  such  calling  as  will  be  best  suited  to  your  taste,  physical 
strength,  general  capacity,  and  disposition,  and  then  pursue  it 
with  such  energy  and  devotion  as  will  bring  success.  It  is  some- 
time the  case  with  beginners  in  life  that  they  are  not  content  un- 
til they  have  tried  almost  every  pursuit.  This  is  not  judicious 
or  wise  and,  in  many  cases,  results  in  great  waste  of  time. 

Another  important  matter  is  to  secure  such  location  for  your 
future  home,  as  will  give  you  the  greatest  advantages  for  the  bus- 
iness you  intend  to  follow. 

John  Jacob  Astor,  one  of  the  most  successful  men  in  the  accu- 
mulation of  wealth  of  his  day,  said  that  the  flrst  $1,000  which  he 
accumulated  was  the  most  difficult,  and  this  has  been  the  expe- 
rience of  many  men  who  commenced  life  poor.  Your  greatest 
difficulty,  in  this  day  will  probably  be,  not  to  accumulate  the 


[119] 


$1,000,  but  to  keep  it;  Most  men  in  this  age  find  it  more  diffi- 
cult to  keep  than  to  make  the  first  $1,000. 

Many  people  in  this  country  estimate  a  man's  success  in  life  by 
his  accumulation  of  wealth,  and  make  that  the  standard  of  his 
worth.  We  know  instances  where  the  largest  accumulations  of 
wealth  have  been  made,  according  to  the  public  estimation,  at  the 
sacrifice  of  all  the  higher  qualities  of  man.  In  many  cases  the 
greater  the  accumulation  the  more  sordid  and  harder  have  the 
feelings  become,  and  where  this  is  the  case  the  better  parts  of  the 
man  are  never  manifested,  or  if  ever,  not  until  just  before  his  ca- 
reer is  ended.  I  would  urge  upon  you  not  to  allow  the  accumu- 
lation of  wealth  to  become  your  standard  of  excellence,  but  re- 
member, if  you  should  be  more  fortunate  than  your  fellows  in 
the  acquisition  of  money,  that  a  kind  Providence  has  bestowed 
upon  you  this  distinction,  and  you  should  repay  as  you  go  this 
obligation  and  not  take  the  chance  to  redeem  it  in  bulk  at  the 
close  of  your  existence.  Those  who  succeed  to  your  hard-earned 
gains,  might  defeat  your  wishes. 

Young  gentlemen,  I  have  thus  hurriedly  presented  to  you  some 
facts  which  I  hope  you  may  be  able  to  make  useful  to  yourselves 
in  future  years. 

It  has  been  jocularly  suggested  that  I  ought  to  make  some  ref- 
erence to  a  subject  that  often  occupies  much  of  the  thoughts  of 
students  before  and  after  graduating.  Students  in  some  respects 
are  not  unlike  other  boys,  and  in  arranging  their  plans  for  future 
life,  they  seldom  fail  to  consider  the  beautiful  as  well  as  the  prac- 
tical, and  there  is  nothing  that  relates  to  the  beautiful  that  does 
not  point  to  woman!  There  is  no  state  or  condition  of  life  that 
exempts  a  man  from  the  contemplation  of  securing  a  partner  to 
share  his  troubles  and  joys,  and  it  is  not  unfrequently  the  case 

[130] 


that  this  is  the  first  and  greatest  question  with  him  ;  and  whether 
rich  or  poor,  high  or  low,  educated  or  not,  the  mind  of  the  youth 
and  man  as  uaturally  turns  to  woman  as  the  sparks  fly  upward. 
And  this  we  would  not  change  if  we  could,  for  the  most  beauti- 
ful, lovely,  attractive  object  created  by  God  is  woman. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  relate  for  your  information  and 
instruction  a  little  history  in  the  life  of  a  friend  that  came  under 
my  direct  observation.  Soon  after  my  friend  reached  his  teens, 
he,  like  most  boys,  concluded  he  must  look  around  among  the 
fair  sex  for  some  one  to  share  his  love  and  be  a  companion  for 
him  in  life.    With  buoyant  spirits  and  the  hopes  of  youth  he 

soon  made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Patience  ,  who  was 

the  personification  of  loveliness,  her  figure,  hair,  eyes,  complex- 
ion and  disposition  far  exceeded^  in  his  estimation,  all  others  on 
earth.  His  visits  to  her  were  generally  about  once  in  two  weeks 
and  sometime  oftener ;  he  would  labor  on  his  father's  farm  all 
the  week,  but  when  Saturday  came  he  was  restless  until  mounted 
and  on  his  way  to  the  home  of  this  lovely  girl.  His  constant 
study  was  to  invent  some  way  by  which  he  could  make  her  his 
wife,  but  he  and  she  both  were  poor  and  proud,  the  combined 
wits  of  both  failed  to  develop  the  ways  and  means  of  a  respecta- 
ble living  for  them  by  daily  labor,  and  the  prospect  of  poverty 
weighed  so  heavily  upon  them  that,  by  mutual  cousent,  they  fin- 
ally agreed  to  break  the  engagement  and  mend  their  fortunes  be- 
fore they  ventured  upon  the  uncertain,  though  attractive,  sea  of 
matrimony. 

My  young  friend  turned  his  mind  again  to  the  plow,  but  the 
hot  sun  and  the  fatigue  and  labor  of  farm  life  soon  caused  him 
to  look  around  for  a  more  rapid  way  of  accumulating  a  comi^e- 
tency  that  would  relieve  him  from  the  burdens  of  labor  in  the 

[121J 


fields,  and  he  heard  of  a  nice  young  lady  in  a  neighboring  State 
who,  though  not  possessed  of  any  of  the  peculiar  charms  that  es- 
pecially attracted  him  at  first,  was  rich.  After  one  or  two  visits 
to  her  father's  house,  where  he  saw  the  broad  acres,  the  large 
number  of  slaves,  the  fine  crops,  splendid  stock,  elegant  residence 
and  beautiful  yard,  and  large  oak  trees  that  furnished  such  de- 
lightful shade,  the  contemplation  that  one  day  this  might  be- 
come his  own  home  took  hold  upon  his  mind.  So  thoroughly 
impressed  was  he  with  the  idea  of  this  beautiful  home  and  its 
surroundings,  that  his  mind  turned  away  from  the  home  of  his 
father's  and  the  labor  and  cares  of  farm  life,  as  he  saw  it.  The 
object  of  his  visits  began  to  lose  her  homely  looks ;  her  manner 
became  more  attractive,  and  instead  of  the  ugly  and  unattractive 
appearance  which  she  first  presented  to  him,  with  her  freckled 
face,  pug  nose,  grey  eyes,  big  feet  and  bungling  step,  she  was 
rapidly  becoming  beautiful.  That  uncomely  appearance  she  first 
presented  to  him,  was  fast  passing  away,  and  the  more  he  saw  of 
her  delightful  home,  the  rich  lands,  many  slaves,  the  shade  trees, 
and  the  prospect  of  acquiring  a  fortune  so  cheap  and  so  easy,  the 
more  beautiful  they  made  the  young  lady  of  his  affections  grow 
at  every  visit.  He  was  young,  handsome,  and,  for  one  of  his  at- 
tainments, very  attractive,  and  with  a  power  of  will  equal  to  his 
ambition.  She  postponed  her  decision,  but  he  saw  evidences  of 
the  impression  he  was  making  and  felt  encouraged  to  press  his 
suit  with  all  the  energy  and  vim  he  possessed,  and  at  times  im- 
agined himself  already  seated  in  the  grassy  yard  surrounded  by 
flowers  with  the  rich  foliage  of  the  noble  old  original  forest  trees 
protecting  him  from  the  scorching  sun. 

While  reflecting  on  this  beautiful  landscape,  he  became,  at 
times,  almost  wild  with  excitement  and  enthusiasm.    His  old 

[122J 


home  was  fast  losing  its  attractions  for  him.  With  him  old 
things  were  fast  passing  away  and  all  things  were  becoming  new. 
His  heart  was  light  and  he  was  rapidly  approaching  the  zenith 
of  his  ambition.  He  was  steadily  and  rapidly  marching  on  to  the 
day  when  he  would  say  :  "Sonl  take  thine  ease."  His  visits  were 
in  rapid  succession  and  he  was  all  devotion  and  love,  giving  great 
care  to  his  dress  and  personal  appearance.  He  was  leaving  noth- 
ing undone  that  would  contribute  to  his  chances  of  success. 

At  last  he  reached  a  point  when  a  final  answer  was  to  be  given 
on. his  next  visit.  For  the  first  time  his  spirits  began  to  droop, 
and  for  the  first  time  his  mind  began  to  ponder  what  he  was 
doing.  Eeflection  and  thought  only  added  to  his  intense  interest. 
He  had  but  a  few  days  for  reflection  before  he  w  as  to  receive  the 
final  decision.  He  became  restless  and  impatient,  and  the  pano- 
rama that  had  so  dazzled  his  mind  and  thoughts  began  to  open  up 
to  him  in  its  true  light,  and  so  intense  was  the  agony  that  he 
sprang  to  his  feet  and  exclaimed  to  himself:  "Am  I  a  man? 
Have  I  the  spirit  of  a  man  in  me  ?  Yes,  I  have  now  passed  the 
age  when  the  law  says  I  am  a  man.  My  father  recognizes  my 
claim  to  manhood.  Then,  if  I  be  a  man,  why  am  I  seeking  to  do 
that  which  is  unmanly  by  marrying  a  womar  I  do  not  love  sim- 
ply to  become  rich  quickly?  It  is  not  just  to  her,  and  it  is  not 
just  to  myself.  I  have  health,  energy  and  strength  to  make  my 
own  fortune,  and,  so  help  me  God,  I  will  never  marry  that  woman, 
even  if  she  accepts  me,  without  first  telling  her  I  do  not  love  her, 
and  that  my  desire  for  a  fortune  quickly  is  my  greai  object  in 
seeking  her  hand." 

In  this  state  of  mind  he  made  his  last  visit,  and,  to  his  great 

relief,  in  a  firm  but  gentle  way  she  said  to  him,  "Mr.    I 

have  carefully  considered  the  question  and  have  decided  not  to 

[123] 


accept  your  offer  of  marriage.  Yon  are  yonng,  without  any  fixed 
business  or  habits  of  life  and  I  have  thought  it  best  to  decline 
your  offer." 

He  quietly  accepted  the  decision  and  once  more  returned  to  his 
old  home,  a  wiser  and  better  man,  with  the  full  dt-termination  to 
go  to  work,  establish  himself  in  business,  and  make  a  reputation 
for  himself  that  would  entitle  him  to  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  the  community,  and  never  again  to  seek  a  fortune  through 
matrimony,  and  when  he  had  accomplished  that  purpose,  he  would 
seek  to  marry  a  woman  of  his  choice  with  whom  he  could  go 
through  life  with  success  and  joy. 

True  to  his  pledges,  he  did,  after  a  few  years,  establish  himself 
in  a  good  business,  making  some  money  with  fair  credit,  and  a 
future  that  attracted  the  attention  and  admiration  of  his  friends; 
and  then  he  sought  the  hand  of  a  lady  who  appreciated  him  for 
his  worth,  accepted  his  offer,  and  they  were  married  and  have 
lived  happily  together  for  about  forty  years,  without  a  jar  between 
Jier  and  him  to  mar  the  pleasure  of  a  happy  and  joyous  life;  and 
tha;t  lady  is  here  to-day  and  if,  after  saying  this,  I  dared,  I  would 
introduce  you  to  her. 

May  this  blessed  old  college  continue  to  grow  and  prosper  un- 
til she  shall  attain  the  eminence  in  numbers  and  usefulness  con- 
templated by  her  noble  founders  more  than  a  half  century  ago. 

May  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Washington  and  Franklin 
Societies  connected  with  Eandolph-Macon  each  become  a  man 
of  great  power  and  value  for  usefulness  in  all  that  is  good  and 
pure  in  the  land ;  and  may  success  attend  you  in  all  your  efforts 
to  reach  this  end. 

And  to  you,  young  ladies,  and  my  audience  generally,  I  will 
say  that  I  hope  I  have  not  v  orried  you,  and  if  you  have  gotten  a 


single  idea  from  anything  that  I  have  said  that  will  help  you 
through  life,  T  shall  feel  that  I  have  been  amply  compensated 
for  my  feeble  efforts  on  this  occasion. 

Address  of  Major  Sutherlin  on  the  Bill  providing  for  a 
distribution  of  the  Land  Scrip  donated  Yirginia  by  Congress 
for  Educational  purposes.  .     '  ; 

In  the  House  of  Delegates  on  Wednesday,  Jan  24th,  1873,  the 
question  being  open  the  bill  providing  for  a  distribution  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  Educational  Land  Scrip,  Major  W.  T. 
Sutherlin  addressed  the  House  as  follows : 

Mr.  Speaker — It  is  well  known  that  I  have  always  felt  a  deep 
interest  in  the  questions  involved  in  the  bill  now  before  the 
House.  It  is  no  new  subject  to  me.  Four  years  ago  I  advocated 
in  a  public  address,  and  last  winter  before  the  committee  of  the 
General  Assembly,  a  proposition  almost  identical  with  that  which 
I  now  have  the  honor  to  present.  I  have  examined  the  law  with 
care,  and  I  shall,  therefore,  take  the  liberty  in  the  outset  to  quote 
liberally  from  it,  in  order  that  gentlemen  may  understand  its 
objects  as  they  appear  to  me,  for  I  feel  sure  they  are  not  properly 
appreciated  by  many  members  of  this  House. 

I  will  first  read  the  law  and  then  place  upon  it  the  construction 
which  I  deem  not  only  justifiable,  but  unavoidable.  The  fourth 
section  of  the  act  expressly  defines  the  purpose  of  the  grant.  It 
says  :  -'The  money  so  invested  shall  constitute  a  perpetual  fund, 
the  capital  of  which  shall  remain  forever  undimished  (except  so 
far  as  may  be  provided  in  section  5  of  this  act),  and  the  interest 
of  which  shall  be  inviolably  appropriated  by  each  State  which 


may  cjaim  and  take  the  benefit  of  this  act  to  the  endowment, 
support  and  maintenance  of  at  least  one  college  where  the  lead- 
ing object  shall  be,  without  excluding  other  scientific  and  classi- 
cal studie?,  and  including  military  tactics,  to  teach  such  branches 
of  learning  as  are  related  to  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts, 
in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  of  the  State  may  respectively 
prescribe,  in  order  to  promote  liberal  and  practical  education  of 
the  industrial  classes  in  the  several  pursuits  and  professions  of 
life." 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  benefits  of  the  act  are  confined  to 
colleges  whose  leading  object  is  instruction  in  branches  of  learn- 
ing which  relate  to  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts.  Now,  in 
all  sincerity  and  fairness,  I  ask  the  gentleman  from  Albemarle 
(Mr.  Hill(  who  ably  represents  the  University  on  this  floor,  and 
the  gentleman  from  Rockbridge  (Mr.  Poague),  who  spoke  so  elo- 
quently for  the  Virginia  Military  Institute,  whether  it  is  the  de- 
sign of  either  of  those  institutions,  if  it  obtains  the  appropria- 
tion, to  make  those  branches  of  learning  paramount  to  all  others. 
I  ask  because  I  wish  an  answer.  If  the  answer  is  "yes,"  they 
come  within  the  sphere  of  the  language  of  this  act:  "if  "no,"  they 
have  no  right  to  its  benefits.  To  give  it  to  them  under  other  cir- 
cumstances would  be  a  plain  violation  of  the  spirit  of  the  law. 
Congress  has  already  ordered  an  investigation  into  cases  in  which, 
according  to  good  authority,  the  fund  has  been  diverted  from  its 
legitimate  uses.  What  action  Congress  will  take  it  is  not  for  me 
to  say,  but  we  ought  to  consider  whether  we  shall  act  in  the  teeth 
of  the  law,  and  make  ourselves  liable  to  a  similar  investigation. 

I  am  satisfied,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  it  is  not  the  intention  of 
either  of  the  worthy  institutions  which  I  have  named  to  perpe- 
trate a  wrong  in  this  regard.    I  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  theni 

[136] 


for  that.  The  University,  for  instance,  is  an  institution  of  the 
highest  order  of  literary  merit,  and  occupies  a  proud  position  as 
such,  but  can  it  be  claimed  that  after  existing  sixty  or  seventy 
years  on  a  purely  literary  basis,  it  will  set  aside  and  destroy  its 
curriculum,  and  make  mechanics  and  agriculture  a  pre-eminent 
specialty  ?  Surely  that  will  not  be  claimed ;  and  yet,  if  not,  it 
has  no  right  whatever  to  any  part  of  this  appropriation. 

But  let  us  review  the  history  of  the  action  of  other  States  un- 
der the  act  of  Congress.  In  some  the  fund  has  been  applied  to 
universities,  or  made  to  build  up  other  purely  literary  institu- 
tions, and  their  course  is  now  a  subject  of  inquiry.  But  I  pro- 
pose to  notice  a  few  instances  where  it  took  a  different  and  proper 
direction. 

In  Illinois,  (I  quote  from  the  report  of  the  Commissioner  of 
Agriculture  for  I860,)  "the  Illinois  Industrial  University  has  been 
established.  Strong  efforts  were  made  by  parties  acting  in  the  in- 
terest of  certain  institutions  to  secure  the  appropriation  of  the 
Congressional  grant  for  local  purposes,  but  the  Legislature  wise- 
ly refused  to  unite  the  proposed  college  with  any  other."  It  is 
now,  therefore,  independent,  and  conducted  entirely  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  industrial  classes. 

In  Iowa  an  earnest  effort  was  made  to  divert  these  lands  from 
the  agricultural  college,  and  to  use  them  to  increase  the  endow- 
ment of  the  State  University,  upon  the  condition  that  a  depart- 
ment of  agriculture  should  be  established,  an  experimental  farm 
be  purchased,  and  an  agricultural  course  in  the  University  be 
provided  for  such  as  wish  to  pursue  it.  It  was  urged,  as  it  has 
been  elsewhere,  that  by  adopting  this  course,  there  could  be  a 
large  saving  of  the  expense  of  buildings,  Professors'  cabinets,  li- 
braries, &c.,  and  that  in  no  other  way  could  desirable  and  neces- 

[127] 


sary  funds  for  the  University  be  so  easily  procured.  The  friends 
of  the  Agricultural  College  resisted  this  attempt  to  divert  the 
grant  from  its  original  purpose,  contending  that  it  belonged  to  it 
from  the  terms  of  the  act  of  Congress,  that  the  industrial  classes 
comprised  a  majority  of  the  people  and  tax-payers  of  the  State, 
and  they  desired  to  build  up  an  institutien  that  should  be  devot- 
ed to  their  interest.  After  an  able  and  earnest  discussion  of  the 
subject,  the  entire  grant  was  given  forever  to  the  Agricultural 
College.  From  the  judicious  location  of  the  lands,  they  consti- 
tute a  fine  additional  endowment  of  an  institution  in  which  the 
people  of  the  State  have  a  great  interest." 

In  Michigan  a  purely  agricultural  college  received  the  grant 
and  it  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  report  of  the  Com- 
missioner of  Agriculture  for  1867  says:  "This  college  proposes, 
1st,  to  impart  a  knowledge  of  science  and  its  application  to  the 
arts  of  life.  The  instruction  given  in  the  class-room  will  be  il- 
lustrated by  experiments  in  the  garden  and  on  the  farm.  2d.  To 
afford  the  students  the  privilege  of  daily  manual  labor,  not  merely 
because  it  is  remunerative,  but  because  it  is  educational,  being- 
planned  for  the  illustration  of  the  principles  of  science,  and  be- 
cause a  taste  for  the  pursuits  of  agriculture  can  be  fostered  in  no 
other  way.  The  students  who  pursue  a  college  course  without 
labor  rarely  engage  in  industrial  pursuits.  They  are  wholly  re- 
moved from  sympathy  with  farmers  and  mechanics  at  a  period  of 
life  when  tastes  are  rapidly  formed.  The  trustees  of  the  college 
act  on  the  principle  that  if  a  farmer  is  to  be  educated  for  the  life 
and  pursuits  of  a  farmer,  it  must  be  on  the  farm  itself.  Three 
hours  work  daily  on  the  farm  or  in  the  garden  are  required  of 
each  student;  and,  while  health  is  preserved  by  manual  labor,  he 

becomes  interested  in  every  department  of  farm  and  horticultural 

[128] 


work."  This  college  also  prosecutes  an  extensive  course  of  agri- 
cultural experiments  from  year  to  year,  and  the  practical  appli- 
cations of  science  are  pursued  in  directions  desirable  for  the  far- 
mer— such  as  surveyiug,  levelling  and  laying  out  ground. 

In  Ohio  a  similar  course  was  pursued.  "After  several  years  of 
conflict  between  various  colleges  of  the  State  to  secure  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  grant,  the  Legislature  passed  a  law  pi'oviding  for  the 
establishment  of  one  independent  college,  to  be  styled  The  Ohio 
Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College,  the  leading  objects  of  which 
are  the  teaching  of  such  branches  of  learning  as  are  related  to 
agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts."  I  read  this  particularly, 
however,  to  call  attention  to  the  manner  of  the  appointment  of  the 
managers,  which  is  similar  to  that  provided  in  the  bill  which  I 
shall  have  the  honor  to  present.  The  government  is  vested  in  a 
Board  of  Trustees,  consisting  of  one  member  from  each  Congres- 
sional district,  to  serve  for  a  term  of  six  years.  I  propose  that 
this  board  shall  be  elected  by  the  people  at  a  general  election, 
when  all  the  people  will  have  an  opportunity  of  voting  for  whom 
they  desire  to  represent  them  in  the  management  of  the  institu- 
tion. 

Mr.  Matthews,  of  Petersburg :  I  would  like  to  ask  the  gentle- 
man a  question.  If  the  money  is  appropriated  to  the  support  of 
an  independent  college,  where  will  he  get  the  means  to  erect 
buildings  and  obtain  an  outfit  ? 

Major  Sutherlin  :  I  will  give  that  information  to  the  gentle- 
man soon,  but  I  remark  here  that  the  fund  is  not  too  small  for  an 
i]idependent  college,  as  is  alleged,  but  is  more  than  was  adequate 
to  establish  some  of  the  most  prosperous  institutions  in  the  State. 
But,  I  resume  the  line  of  my  ai'gument.  In  Pennsylvania  it  is 
said  the  Agricultural  College  appears  to  be  ermerging  from  its 

[129j 


depressed  condition,  a  condition  caused,  it  is  thought  by  its  trus- 
tees, by  an  attempt  to  elevate  it  into  a  literary  institution,  in 
which  "scientific  agriculture  was  sunk  into  a  secondary  object, 
and  practical  farming  left  optional  with  the  students."  It  is  now 
doing  better,  because  its  policy  has  been  changed. 

I  think,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  I  have  now  shown  to  the  satisfaction  of 
impartial  minds  that  Congress  had  a  definite  and  specific  purpose 
in  making  this  appropriation,  and  that  it  cannot  properly  be  di- 
verted for  other  uses.  I  have  shown  also  that  efforts  have  been  made 
in  many  instances  by  State  institutions  and  others  to  get  hold  of 
the  fund,  and  divert  it  from  its  legitimate  purpose.  A¥hat  has 
taken  place  here,  therefore,  is  no  new  thing,  nor  is  it  to  to  be 
wondered  at  that  men  and  institutions  elsewhere  will  take  all  they 
can  for  their  own  use,  or  that  legislators  will  look  out  for  their 
constituencies.  Only  a  day  or  two  ago  a  delegate  remarked  to  me 
that  he  really  cared  very  little  about  this  matter;  that  he  only 
wanted  his  constituents  to  have  a  chance  to  "grease  their  fingers 
wdth  the  annuity. " 

Mr.  Bagwell :  Will  the  gentleman  state  who  the  delegate  was, 
or  what  institution  he  represented  ? 

Major  Sutherlin :  I  prefer  not ;  but  those  who  did  not  may 
stand  up  and  say  so. 

Mr.  Bagwell :  I  surely  did  not. 

Major  Sutherlin  :  No  doubt,  though,  you  would  not  object  to 
your  constituents  being  greased,  if  practicable. 

Mr.  Bagwell:  Yes,  I  would,  under  those  circumstances. 

Mr.  O'Ferrall:  I  would  like  to  ask  the  gentleman  a  question. 
Does  the  Hampton  Normal  School,  to  which,  I  believe,  he  pro- 
poses to  give  a  third  of  this  appropriation,  come  within  his  (Mr. 
Sutherlin's)  idea  of  the  purview  of  the  act  of  Congress  ?    In  other 

[130] 


words,  is  it  sncli  a  college  as  he  thinks  Congress  had  in  view  ? 

Major  Sutherlin  :  Well,  if  it  does  not.  my  hill  provides  that  it 
shall  not  get  it. 

Mr.  Hill:  Does  that  school,  in  yonr  judgment,  till  the  bill  any 
more  than  the  University  ? 

Major  Sntherlin:  I  repeat,  my  hill  provides  that  it  shall  con- 
form to  the  Congressional  recpiirement.  Otherwise  it  cannot  get 
it,  and  the  gentleman  from  Albemarle  (^h\  Hill )  thought  it  did. 
or  he  would  not  have  reported  from  his  committee  a  bill  giving 
a  third  to  this  same  Hampton  school. 

Mr.  Hill :  I  do  think  so. 

Major  Sutherlin :  AVell,  you  think  that  the  University  will 
agree  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  act  of  Congress  ? 
Mr.  Hill :  I  Avill  answer  that  in  due  time. 

]\[r.  Sutherlin:  But  will  you  not  say  whether  it  will  make  ag- 
ricultural and  mechanical  instruction  the  leading  feature  in  its 
course  ? 

Mr.  Hill:  Xot  to  the  exclusion  of  other  branches. 

Major  Sutherlin  :  I  had  hoped  you  would  say  yes  or  no,  but 
you  will  not  undertake  to  say.  Shall  we,  then,  violate  the  very 
spirit  of  the  act,  by  giving  it  to  an  institution  which  gives  no 
guarantee  of  the  fulfilment  of  the  contract  ?  What  is  the  design 
of  the  scheme  ?  It  is  to  place  education  within  the  reach  of  the 
masses  who  propose  to  follow  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts 
as  a  means  of  livelihood.  Does  any  mail  suppose,  then,  that  Con- 
gress meant  to  give  the  grant  to  an  institution  which  cannot 
reach  that  class  of  people  at  all?  I  say  emphatically  that  the 
University  of  A^irginia  is  such  an  institution.  It  is  not  the  place 
for  a  poor  stndent.  I  have  a  friend  in  this  body,  whom  I  regret 
not  to  see  present,  to  sustain  this  assertion,  who,  I  understand,  has 

[131] 


said  that  it  cost  him  eleven  hundred  dollars  per  year  for  neces- 
sary expenses  at  that  institution.  It  is  due  to  him  to  say,  too,  that  he 
is  a  gentleman  of  good  moral  character,  and  not  at  all  inclined  to  be 
dissipated.  I  repeat,  T  do  not  mean  to  attack  the  University,  nor 
to  underrate  it.  It  has  a  great  work  to  perform.  It  is  designed 
to  prepare  a  certain  class  for  the  active  duties  of  life.  It  is  an 
institution  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  propose  to  devote  their 
lives  to  literary  pursuits,  whereas  the  college  contemplated  by 
Congress  is  for  the  yeomanry  of  the  land — the  tax-paying  masses, 
who  live  by  the  sweat  of  their  brow,  and  not  by  their  wits.  It  is 
designed  to  increase  those  products  of  the  land  upou  which  we 
subsist,  by  teaching  our  young  men  to  cultivate  the  soil  on  scien- 
tific principles. 

I  appeal  to  the  farmers  on  this  floor,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  know 
what  it  costs  each  enterprising  farmer  to  experiment  for  himself  ? 
how  much  time  and  money  is  thrown  aw^ay  in  running  after  every 
new  seed,  fertilizer,  and  agricultural  implement?  An  agricul- 
tural college  should  make  these  experiments  for  us,  and  lay  the 
result  before  those  whom  the  information  will  benefit.  Has  the 
University  ever  promulgated  a  cent's  worth  of  information  on 
such  subjects  and  can  it  give  any  ?  I  have  tried  the  experiment, 
but  do  not  choose  to  tell  the  result  just  now  ;  but  if  I  were  to  de- 
tail my  agricultural  experience  with  the  University,  it  would 
create  some  surprise. 

Mr.  Hill :  The  friends  of  the  University  have  no  objection  to 
your  making  any  statement  of  fact  in  regard  to  it. 

Major  Sutherlin :  I  do  not  suppose  they  have,  but  for  reasons 
satisfactory  to  myself,  I  don't  choose  to  make  any  statement  just 
now.  I  feel  kindly  towards  the  University,  but  when  it  is  held 
up  as  a  great  agricultural  school,  and  as  of  value  to  the  people  in 


this  respect,  T  must  enter  my  protest.  That  it  has  failed  in  this 
capacity  is  not  for  the  lack  of  an  extensive  laboratory,  nor  of  ac- 
complished professors.  The  chair  of  the  agricultural  department 
is  to-day  filled  by  one  of  the  most  scientific  and  learned  theoretic- 
al agriculturists  in  the  country.  But  one  thing  he  lacks,  and 
that  is  a  practical  knowledge  of  agriculture,  so  as  to  utilize  his 
scientific  attainments.  I  do  not  suppose,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  it  is 
the  design  of  the  legislature  to  prepare  men  for  professional  life 
at  the  expense  of  this  grant.  We  have  already  institutions  dedi- 
cated exclusively  to  the  education  and  improvement  of  the  mind 
to  that  end.  A  short  while  ago  I  met  a  friend  (a  member  of 
Congress  from  ^Xorth  Carolina),  who,  wishing  to  give  his  son  a 
good  collegiate  education,  had  been  urged  to  send  him  to  the 
Kentucky  Agricultural  College.  He  declined  and  sent  him  to 
the  University  of  Virginia.  Why  ?  Because,  as  he  said,  the 
young  man  was  not  to  be  a  farmer,  but  to  learn  a  profession. 
For  this  purpose  there  was  no  better  place  than  the  University, 
but  if  life  on  a  farm  was  to  have  been  his  future  occupation,  he 
would  have  sent  him  to  the  Kentucky  College.  I  had  the  curi- 
osity to  ask  what  the  boy's  expenses  were  at  the  University.  His 
reply  was  the  young  man  was  steady,  and  had  no  bad  habits,  and 
got  along  very  well  on  eight  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  If  my 
friend  had  not  been  a  member  of  Congress  he  could  hardly  have 
sent  him  to  such  an  institution,  but  members  of  Congress  get 
about  ten  thousand  dollars  a  year. 

A  member :  Five  thousand  dollars  a  year. 

Major  Sutherlin :  The  perquisities  make  it  amount  to  ten 
thousand.  [Laughter.]  I  now  ask,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  the  farm- 
ers on  this  fioor  will  look  for  a  moment  at  the  scheme  w^hich  I 
propose.  How  many  farmers  in  Virginia  are  now  conducting 
"     ■  ,  "  [133] 


their  business  on  a  proper  agricultural  basis  ?  I  admit  that  there 
are  some  few  exceptions,  but  as  a  rule,  farming  in  Virginia  has 
become  very  unprofitable.  The  great  mass  of  farmers  are  intel- 
ligent, well  read,  and  informed  upon  every  subject  except  that 
upon  which  their  living  depends.  Some  may  even  write  well  for 
the  agricultnral  papers,  but  make  a  poor  showing  in  their  own 
garden,  fields  and  orchards.  I  once  knew  a  worthy  man  in  South- 
side  Virginia  who  contributed  for  fifteen  years  most  interesting 
and  instructive  articles  to  the  Southern  Planter,  and  a  gentleman 
who  had  read  them  all  this  time,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
man  who  wrote  so  well  and  learnedly  on  agriculture  must  be  the 
greatest  and  most  successful  farmer  on  the  continent.  Holding 
him  in  such  high  esteem,  he  had  his  carpet  bags  packed  and  rode 
seventy- five  miles  on  horse- back  to  see  the  great  agriculturist  at 
home.  When  near  the  place  he  inquired  for  it,  and  was  told  that 
it  was  only  half  a  mile  further  on,  and  that  he  would  recognize 
it  by  the  house  being  on  one  side  of  the  road  and  the  stable  on 
the  other.    Sure  enough,  he  found  it  as  represented,  and  calling 

at  the  door,  was  greeted  by  a  lady,  whom  he  asked  if  Mr.  , 

the  great  agriculturists,  who  contributed  to  the  Southern  Planter 
lived  there.  She  said  that  a  gentleman  of  that  name  (her  hus- 
band) did  live  there,  and  he  sometimes  contributed  to  that  jour- 
nal. This  stranger  was  in  doubt.  He  looked  around  and  saw  a 
dilapidated  stable,  a  half-starved  calf  in  the  barn  yard,  some 
hungry  pigs  rooting  in  the  yard,  and  a  forlorn  cow  strolling  down 
the  lane,  while  the  fences  were  down,  and  everything  wore  the 
appearance  of  neglect.  He  asked  again  if  the  agriculturist  lived 
there,  and  was  answered  as  before,  at  the  same  time  being  invited 
to  dismount.  But  no  ;  he  said  he  must  be  mistaken  in  the  man 
and  the  place,  and  as  he  was  a  long  ways  from  home  and  wanted 

[134] 


to  be  getting  back,  rode  away  disgusted  with  theoretical  farming. 

Our  great  need  is  practical  education.  The  young  men  must 
be  taught  how  to  lay  off  land,  to  judge  of  its  quality,  to  tell  what 
manures  it  needs  and  how  much  should  be  put  on  a  given  num- 
ber of  acres.  How  few  know  these  things  now !  It  is  all  guess 
work.  They  must  be  taught,  too,  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from 
the  introduction  of  improved  machinery — how  it  tends  to  cheapen 
and  lessen  manual  labor.  Now,  not  one  man  in  fifty  who  buys  a 
reaper  or  mower  knows  how  to  set  it  up  and  run  it.  Indeed,  I 
doubt  whether  there  is  hardly  a  gentleman  at  the  University  who 
know  these  things,  or  who  can  conduct  a  dairy,  harness  a  horse, 
or  run  a  straight  furrow.  I  would  go  the  University  to  see  him 
do  it.  Agriculture  should  also  be  made  attractive  to  the  student. 
It  is  anything  else  now.  Country  homes  should  be  beautified 
and  adorned.  You  may  now  go  fifty  miles  in  almost  any  direc- 
tion and  not  find  a  single  handsome  farm  house,  with  neat  and 
attractive  surroundings.  Go  in  doors,  and  you  will  find  hospital- 
ity and  plenty,  but  no  real  comfort  and  happiness.  But  suppose 
we  have  five  hundred  men  to-day  ready  to  leave  an  agricultural 
college — intelligent  men,  who  had  learned  landscape  gardening, 
and  not  only  how  to  raise  wheat,  corn  and  tobacco,  but  to  culti- 
vate orchards,  vineyards  and  gardens.  Then,  indeed,  we  would 
have  more  attractive  country  homes.  What  is  so  pleasant  as  to 
ride  up  to  a  farm-house  and  find  it  Avell  constructed,  with  a  neat 
yard,  flourishing  garden  and  orcliard,  and  stock  well  fed  by  some- 
body who  knows  how  to  handle  and  provide  for  stock.  The  Ag- 
ricultural Society  makes  a  great  show  of  fat  cattle  at  every  State 
Uair,  but  how  few  of  us  know  how  they  are  fattened.  What 
means  are  used  to  do  it  cheaply  ?  Hundreds  of  dollars  are  fre- 
quently spent  in  improving  the  breed  of  hogs,  but  how  few  farni- 

[135] 


ers  gain  a  knowledge  of  this  branch  of  their  business  without 
making  experiments  for  themselves  ? 

From  what  I  have  thus  hastily  said  I  deduce  the  value  of  a 
well  conducted  experimental  farm,  which  could  only  be  attached 
to  a  purely  agricultural  college.  Not  only  would  the  students  be 
benefited,  but  every  farmer  in  the  State  would  have  the  right  to 
go  to  such  a  college  and  examine  the  stock  and  crops,  and  profit 
by  the  experiments  of  men  who  are  both  theoretical  and  practi- 
cal agriculturists.  Such  an  institution  would  test  the  various 
seeds,  and  distribute  the  best  throughout  the  State.  Virginia  has 
lost  millions  by  the  want  of  good  seed  wheat,  specially  adapted 
to  the  climate  and  soil  of  this  State.  A  large  amount  is  also 
thrown  away  in  the  indiscriminate  purchase  of  agricultural  im- 
plements. If  such  a  college  and  such  a  farm  as  I  have  sketched 
w^ere  in  existence,  all  might  profit  by  the  experiments  and  obser- 
vations there  made,  and  it  would  soon  come  to  be  understood 
that  unless  approved  by  the  College,  such  implements  would 
meet  with  no  sale  in  Virginia.  In  plows  alone  we  lose  a  great 
deal.  At  this  College  we  propose  to  teach  the  boys  not  only  to 
direct  the  plow,  but  to  understand  its  construction  and  the  use 
of  every  part,  and  then  to  apply  scientific  knowledge,  as  well  as 
his  own  hands,  to  the  handles.  Now,  nearly  every  farmer  has 
worthless  plows,  having  no  means  of  knowing  until  he  tries  them 
for  himself  whether  he  has  the  right  ones.  Some  of  tlie  most 
enlightened  farmers  in  my  sections  of  th^  State,  who  own  im- 
mense quantities  of  land,  who  are  graduates  of  the  Tniversity  of 
Virginia,  and  can  talk  well  on  almost  any  subject,  yet  say  they 
can't  make  any  money  in  the  pursuit  of  agriculture.  They  are 
behind  the  times.  Rather  than  purchase  a  mower,  which  will 
do  the  work  of  eight  hands  at  half  cost,  they  will  cling  to  the 

[1361 


old  and  tedious  manual  labor  system.  I  asked  one  of  these  es- 
teemed gentlemen,  who  has  not  an  improved  agricultural  imple- 
ment on  his  plantation,  why  he  did  not  buy  a  mower  and  reaper. 
The  reply  was  that  he  did  not  know  what  kind  to  buy.  Here 
was  another  instance  of  the  necessity  of  a  State  institution  upon 
the  plan  I  have  indicated. 

I  regard  the  establishment  of  an  agricultural  college  as  one  of 
the  best  means  of  improving  our  waste  lands,  and  of  thus  enrich- 
ing the  State,  so  that  the  public  credit  may  be  re-established 
upon  the  firm  basis  of  material  wealth.  A  succev'sful  system  of 
agriculture  will  enable  us,  with  a  tax  of  only  fifty  cents  on  the 
hundred  dollars,  to  pay  with  ease,  if  necessary,  the  interest  on  a 
debt  of  a  hundred  million  dollars  instead  of  thirty  millions. 

Mr.  Poague:  Did  I  understand  the  gentlemen  to  say  that  the 
friend  whom  he  mentioned  was  a  poor  farmer  because  he  went  to 
the  University  ? 

Major  Sutherlin  :  Xo,  sir  I  by  no  means  I  But  with  all  the  ed- 
ucational advantages  of  the  University,  he  was  a  failure  as  a 
farmer  in  these  times. 

Mr.  Kincheloe  :  I  wish  to  ask  the  gentleman  a  question.  Does 
not  high  academic  or  collegiate  education  tend  to  make  men 
averse  to  following  agricultural  pursuits?  Are  not  farmers 
whose  education  is  defective  often  the  best  in  his  opinion  ? 

Major  Sutherlin:  That  is  a  question  often  debated,  but  I  can- 
not discuss  it  now.  I  cannot,  however,  bring  my  mind  to  the 
conclusion  indicated  by  the  gentleman  who  asked  the  question. 
Give  a  young  man  the  right  kind  of  agricultural  education,  in- 
terest him  in  his  studies,  and  I  hardly  think  that  he  can  become 
averse  to  farming.  The  tendency  in  too  many  institutions  of 
learning,  particularly,  I  fear,  in  our  State,  Mr,  Speaker,  has  been 

[137j 


to  look  upon  professional  life  as  preferable  to  any  other,  and 
when  the  farmer's  son  leaves  such  institutions  he  is  too  apt  to  wish 
to  make  his  living  in  some  other  manner  than  by  tilling  the  soil. 
But  in  a  college  such  as  I  propose  the  result  will  be  very  differ- 
ent. The  student  will  go  there  with  a  farmer's  or  mechanic's 
life  in  view.  He  will  be  trained  to  the  business,  and  will  become 
attached  to  and  take  a  pride  in  it.  Farming  and  the  mechanic 
arts  will  be  dignified  in  his  eyes,  and  labor  be  considered  respec- 
table. At  present  the  laboring  classes,  although  the  bone  and 
sinew  of  the  State,  have  too  little  to  do  with  the  management  of 
public  affairs,  and  unless  some  provision  is  made  for  the  improve- 
ment of  this  class,  as  can  be  done  by  a  proper  use  of  this  appro- 
priation, the  agricultural  interest  of  the  State  will  continue  to 
decline,  and  farming  become  less  profitable  year  by  year.  Many 
of  our  best  citizens  are  now  leaving  the  homes  of  their  childhood 
and  going  to  other  parts  of  the  country,  or  to  the  cities  of  our 
own  State,  hoping  to  better  their  fortunes.  The  young  men  are 
abandoning  their  farms  and  seeking  more  congenial  and  remu- 
nerative employments.  What  will  the  credit  of  Virginia  be 
worth  if  the  cry  continues  to  come  up  that  farming  is  unprofita- 
ble? Our  towns,  too,  must  suffer  ;  for  they  cannot  flourish  un- 
less sustained  by  a  successful  system  of  agriculture.  Our  inter- 
nal improvements  must  languish  and  depreciate  in  value.  I  tell 
you,  sir,  that  this  state  of  things  onght  not  to  be  allowed  to  con- 
tinue. We  must  extend  the  hand  of  encouragement  to  the  labor- 
ing classes,  that  they  may  be  induced  to  remain  in  Virginia,  and 
not  leave  us,  as  thousands  are  doing  every  year.  We  cannot  blame 
them  for  leaving  if  the  soil  refuses  to  yield.  It  must  be  made  to 
yield  if  prosperity  is  to  dawn  upon  the  land. 

But  it  is  said  that  the  fund  is  too  small  to  establish  an  Agri- 

[138] 


taral  and  Mechanical  College,  such  as  the  necessities  of  the  State 
demand.  The  Virginia  Military  Institute  was  established,  I  un- 
derstand, on  an  annuity  of  not  over  six  thousand  dollars.  It  was 
not  enough  of  itself  to  make  it  the  great  institution  it  is  today^ 
but  enough  to  give  it  a  start.  Shall  it  be  said,  then,  that  twelve 
thousand  dollars  per  annum  is  not  enough  to  start  the  institution 
proposed  in  my  bill  ?  In  addition,  however,  the  bill  proposes  a 
source  of  revenue  not  conptemplated  by  the  act  of  Congress,  and 
outside  of  my  State  appropriation.  Wherever  located,  the  college 
will  be  worth  a  great  deal  to  the  surrounding  country,  and  I  pro- 
pose that  in  choosing  the  location  we  shall  consider  not  only  the 
advantages  of  climate,  soil,  productiveness  and  accessibility,  but 
that  we  shall  also  ascertain  what  city,  county  or  section  will  con- 
tribute the  largest  amount  by  endowment,  or  otherwise,  towards 
making  the  institution  a  success.  Thus  fifty,  seventy-hve,  or  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  may  be  added  to  the  donation  of  Con- 
gress, and  who  will  say  that  we  will  not  then  have  enough  money 
to  put  this  great  enterprise  into  successful  operation  ?  There  are 
many  men  all  over  the  State  who  would  contribute  in  one  way  or 
another  to  the  success  of  a  scheme  fraught  with  such  promise  of 
prosperity  to  the  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  interests  of  the 
State.  There  are  men  in  my  section  who  would  clieerfully  give 
two  or  three  hundred  dollars  a  year  for  the  education  of  three  to 
five  poor  pupils,  on  condition  that  they  return  to  farming  and 
make  it  profitable.  One  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance,  who 
owns  a  large  estate,  employs  three  managers,  neither  of  whom  can 
read  or  write.  What  would  it  be  worth  to  such  a  man  to  get  ed- 
ucated agriculturists  to  take  charge  of  his  plantations  ?  Now  it 
is  almost  impossible  to  get  such  men,  and  under  these  circum- 
stances can  any  but  unprofitable  farming  be  expected  ? 

[139] 


I  am  confident,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the 
grant,  with  the  contributions  which  will  certainly  be  realized 
from  the  sources  I  have  indicated,  will  suffice  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion and  rear  the  superstructure  of  a  great  Agricultural  and  Me- 
chanical College,  and  place  it  in  operation.  We  can  then  see  to 
it  that  it  be  placed  under  proper  management,  attract  to  its  sup- 
port men  of  character,  standing,  culture  and  real  worth — men 
who  have  labored  and  understand  labor,  and  men  who  know  how 
to  put  the  most  approved  theories  into  practice.  Then  it  will  be 
not  only  a  success,  but  it  will  be  the  great  institution  of  Virginia. 
Its  friends  will  be  found  in  every  city  and  county,  and  on  every 
farm  and  in  every  workship.  It  will  encourage,  foster  and  sup- 
port the  industrial  classes,  upon  whom  our  future  so  greatly  de- 
pends. And  why  it  should  receive  less  aid  from  the  State  than 
her  literary  institutions  are  now  receiving?  Why  should  it  be 
less  cared  for?  What  institution  can  confer  so  many  benefits 
upon  the  people  at  large  ? 

I  have  not  failed,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  indicate,  in  the  course  of  my 
remarks,  the  part  which  the  mechanic  arts  are  to  take  in  the 
course  of  instruction  in  this  institution.  Everybody  will  admit 
that  to  manufacture,  as  well  as  to  agriculture,  we  must  look  for 
prosperity.  The  great  natural  resources  of  the  State,  now  almost 
hidden  from  view,  are  to  be  touched  by  the  hand  of  skilled  labor, 
and  made  to  contribute  to  the  wealth  of  the  Commonwealth.  Our 
water  power  is  unsurpassed,  our  forests  are  treasures  in  them- 
selves, and  our  mines  will  yet  be  made  to  yield  a  golden  harvest. 
This  work  should  be  done  by  natives  of  Virginia — by  the  rising- 
generation  as  far  as  practicable — and  yet  outside  of  Kichmond 
city  to-day  there  are  not  more  than  one  hundred  boys  learning 
trades.    An  interest  must  be  awakened  in  this  great  subject.  Let 


the  young  men  be  taught  that  manufactures  present  an  attractive 
road  to  wealth.  Let,  then,  the  friends  of  agriculture  and  the  me- 
chanic arts,  unite  in  building  up  an  institution  which  will  en- 
courage our  own  people  to  engage  intelligently  in  these  pursuits. 
It  may  be  said  that  our  resources  are  to  be  developed  by  immi- 
grants. That  is  very  well.  I  would  encourage  immigration  ;  but 
shall  we  wait  for  forever  for  straugers  to  do  this  work,  when  we 
have  intelligent  and  talented  young  men  in  abundance,  whose  en- 
ergies need  only  to  be  directed  into  the  proper  channels  ? 

Mr.  Speakei,  this  is  a  subject  in  which  we  should  all  be  deeply 
interested.  If  we  fail  to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunity  now 
presented,  we  shall  always  regret  our  folly.  Virginia,  it  is  said 
by  many,  is  not  as  well  off  to  day  as  she  was  five  years  ago.  Ag- 
riculture and  mechanics  languish  almost  everywhere.  It  is  urged 
that  we  have  not  money  enough  to  pay  the  interest  on  our  State 
debt.  The  literary  institutions  of  the  State,  while  doing  a  great 
and  good  work,  have  not  bettered  our  material  condition.  Let  us 
now  try  the  college  whose  features  I  have  presented  in  outline  to- 
day. I  implore  you,  gentlemen,  to  consider  this  subject  dispas- 
sionately, to  discard  all  local  prejudices,  and  forget  that  they  have 
constituencies  to  be  ''greased."  For  myself,  I  ask  nothing,  ex- 
cept what  I  believe  to  be  for  the  best  interest  of  the  State;  for 
my  constituents  I  ask  nothing  that  I  would  not  grant  to  others. 
I  propose  to  place  this  institution  in  the  hands  of  a  Board  of  Di- 
rectors chosen  by  the  people,  and  they  shall  have  the  power  to  lo- 
cate it  as  they  think  best  for  the  good  of  the  greatest  number. 

It  is  needless,  Mr.  Speaker,  for  me  to  say  more  with  regard  to 
the  Hampton  Normal  Agricultural  College  than  to  state  that  it 
is  a  college  established  by  authority  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  and  designed  for  the  instruction  and  benefit  of  the  col- 

[141] 


ored  people  of  the  State,  and  I  am  glad,  also,  to  say  that  I  have 
been  informed  that  it  is  in  su<';cessful  operation.  It  has  been  ad- 
mitted by  all  the  applicants  for  the  Congressional  Land  Scr^ip 
that  the  Hampton  Normal  Agricultural  College  is  entitled  to  one- 
third  of  the  same,  and  I  have  recognized  this  principle  in  the  bill 
presented  by  me,  and  I  will  also  state  that  so  far  as  I  have  been 
able  to  learn,  that  division  of  the  fund  will  be  entirely  agreeable 
to  the  colored  people. 

I  fondly  hope,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  live  to  see  the  day  when  the 
Virginia  State  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College  shall  be  a 
thing  of  the  present  and  not  of  the  future — when  its  halls  are 
thronged  with  the  sturdy  sons  of  toil,  studying  those  branches 
Av  hich  Avill  lead  to  usefulness  in  life,  and  when  Agriculture  and 
the  Mechanic  Arts  shall  occupy  the  proud  position  to  which,  by 
their  importance,  they  are  entitled.  The  sons  of  toil  must  not  be 
forgotten.  They  are  becoming  a  power  in  the  land.  They  have 
many  friends  in  Virginia  to  day,  and  though  they  are  not  all  men 
of  the  learning  and  ability  of  those  who  seem  to  disregard  their 
wants,  they  know  that  if  Virginia  is  to  be  made  worth  anything, 
it  must  be  by  the  education  and  consequent  elevation  of  those 
who  are  not  afraid  to  work  day  in  and  day  out,  to  bring  prosper- 
ity to  our  beloved  Commonwealth.  I  hope,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  the 
amendment  of  the  gentleman  from  Richmond  city  (Mr.  Gilman) 
will  prevail.       ■    ;  .  , 

Address  of  Major  Sufherlin  upon  the  opening  of  the 
Border  Agricultural  Society  of  Danville,  Va.,  Oct.  1st,  1867. 

Fellow  Citizens: — An  Agricultural  Society  has  been  recent- 
ly formed  in  the  town  of  Danville,  composed  of  individuals  liy- 

[142] 


ing  in  the  border  counties  of  the  two  States,  the  object  of  which 
is  to  unite  the  efforts  of  our  people  in  the  improvement  of  our 
lands,  our  stock,  our  implements,  of  farming,  our  system  of  la- 
bor, and,  in  short,  to  stimulate  its  members,  and  all  around  them, 
to  energetic  and  persistent  exertions  to  place  our  noble  calling  in 
the  high  position  which  it  should  ever  have  occupied,  and  to  re- 
store the  fallen  fortunes  of  our  country,  now  prostrate  through 
the  wickedness  and  folly  of  ambitious  and  misguided  politicians. 

We  desire  to  appeal  to  every  citizen  of  Danville  and  the  sur- 
rounding country,  of  whatever  profession  or  calling,  to  unite  with 
this  society  in  its  efforts  to  give  a  fresh  impulse  and  an  increased 
vigor  to  the  energies  of  our  people,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  aid 
in  reclaiming  the  waste  places  in  this  portion  of  our  country,  with 
the  hope  that  its  influence  will  be  felt  for  good,  not  only  in  our 
own  section,  but  throughout  the  entire  South.  The  subject 
w^hich  we  bring  to  your  consideration,  at  this  time,  is  of  the 
highest  interest  to  the  people  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
Indeed  we  know  of  not  one  of  equal  importance. 

We  often  hear  it  asked,  not  in  a  captious  spirit,  but  in  earnest, 
and  with  great  concern  :  Is  it  possible  for  us  to  live  here  ?  Shall 
we  continue  our  efforts  to  cultivate  our  lands  ?  Shall  we  lease 
them  in  small  farms,  since  to  sell  them  is  impracticable :  or 
shall  we  abandon  them  altogether,  and  seek  homes  in  a  new  coun- 
try, and  make  a  fresh  start  in  a  strange  land  ? 

It  is  not  surprising,  in  such  times  as  we  now  experience,  that 
these  and  similar  enquiries  are  made  by  our  suffering  and  bewil- 
dered people.  We  would  not  venture  to  answer  them,  for  it  is 
known  only  to  an  Allwise  Providence  what  is  best  for  each  indi- 
vidual, since  only  He  knows  how  or  when  the  terrible  struggle, 
now  waging  for  political  supremacy,  will  end. 

[143] 


We  will,  however,  suggest  a  few  practical  thoughts  in  this  con- 
nection. To  what  section  or  country  should  we  go  ?  The  same 
God  ruleth  everywhere.  Here  we  have  a  soil  unsurpassed  in  fer- 
tility, and  in  the  variety  of  its  production — a  climate  unequalled 
the  year  round,  by  any  of  which  we  have  knowledge ;  with  pure 
water  gushing  from  every  hill,  and  a  people  of  acknowledged  in- 
telligence and  hospitality.  Here,  too,  lie  the  bones  of  our  depart- 
ed loved  ones.  Shall  we  give  up  all  these,  to  go,  we  know  not 
where,  in  search  of  that  we  may  never  tind  ?  Let  us  rather  for- 
get the  past,  make  the  best  of  the  present,  dismiss  evil  forebod- 
ings, catch  fresh  inspiration  from  the  hope  of  better  times  to 
come,  and  start  afresh  liere^  in  our  own  native  land. 

Let  us  unite  with  others  more  hopeful,  and  make  an  earnest 
and  continued  effort  to  improve  everything  around  us  ;  to  attract 
immigrants  who  shall  occupy  and  cultivate  our  waste  lands,  that 
thus  we  may  be  enabled  to  live  comfortably,  and  to  provide  for 
the  future  wants  of  ourselves  and  those  depending  on  us. 

We  invite  y©u,  then,  to  become  members  of  our  Society,  that 
you  may  aid  us  by  your  counsel  and  your  example,  in  introducing 
new  ideas  in  the  management  of  our  farms,  and  new  and  improved 
implements  in  the  cultivation  of  our  soil. 

Let  us  abandon  the  unprofitable  and  corrupting  study  of  poli- 
tics, and  devote  our  leisure  hours  to  the  reading  of  agricultural 
journals.  We  may  thus  become  well  informed  and  successful 
farmers. 

It  may  be  thought  by  some  that  every  effort  in  this  direction 
will  be  premature;  that  in  the  present  unsettled  condition  of  the 
country,  the  great  body  of  the  people  cannot  be  induced  to  take 
an  interest  in  the  subject ;  that  we  cannot  hope  for  success  until 

[144] 


the  clouds  that  now  haug  over  us  shall  be  scattered,  and  we  shall 
see  more  of  what  is  now  in  the  future. 

Who  can  tell  when  all  this  shall  come  to  pass?  or  whether  even 
then  we  shall  be  in  a  better  condition  to  provide  for  our  material 
interests  than  we  are  now  ?  We  would  not  undervalue  the  im- 
portance of  our  political  interests.  Every  Anglo-Saxon  heart 
longs  for  such  form  of  government  as  Avill  afford  ample  protec- 
tion to  life,  liberty  and  property,  and  none  that  fails  to  secure 
these  can,  for  any  length  of  time,  command  the  confidence  and 
support  of  that  race. 

Whatever  changes  may  be  in  our  political  condition,  we  have 
an  abiding  hope  and  trust  that  the  day  will  come  (and  it  should 
be  the  constant  endeavor  of  every  good  citizen  to  hasten  the  con- 
summation) when  all  good  people  (I^orth  and  South)  will  unite 
on  a  common  basis,  which  will  insure  equal  and  impartial  justice 
to  all  of  both  sections. 

In  the  meantime  let  us  all  demean  ourselves  as  law-abiding  cit- 
izens ;  go  to  work,  and  patiently  wait  for  that  '-reconstruction" 
which  shall  bring  about  this  desirable  result. 

We  should  remember,  however,  that  no  laws  or  form  of  govern- 
ment can  relieve  us  from  the  necessity  of  labor.  Our  future  suc- 
cess will  depend  upon  our  individual  effort.  Those  who  make 
nothing  will  have  nothing ;  whilst  each  citizen  will  be  allowed 
the  proceeds  of  his  own  labor,  none  being  allowed  to  claim  the 
proceeds  of  another's  earnings  without  just  compensation.  Some 
are  enabled,  by  their  capital,  skill  and  energy,  to  give  employ- 
ment to  others  less  favored  than  they,  and  in  this  way  to  impart 
life  and  energy  to  the  business  operations  of  the  country. 
Changes  are  daily  taking  place  in  our  system  of  agriculture. 
They  will  continue  to  be  made  until  a  complete  revolution  shall 

[145] 


be  effected,  and  we  should  be  prepared  to  meet  and  successfully 
encounter  them. 

It  is  admitted  by  all,  that  our  first  real  and  substantial  gain 
must  come  from  the  successful  cultivation  of  the  soil.  Our 
mother  earth,  though  proverbially  beneficent,  denies  her  products 
to  the  sluggard  and  the  drone. 

It  is  also  an  undeniable  fact  that  the  present  labor  of  this  sec- 
tion, and  indeed  of  the  entire  South,  is  wholly  inadequate,  as  at 
present  employed,  to  cultivate  properly  one-third  of  our  open 
land  ;  and  we  may  reasonably  calculate  on  a  constant  reduction 
of  the  present  available  force. 

In  this  view  of  the  subject,  is  it  just  to  ourselves  and  our  pos- 
terity, that  we  should  fold  our  arms  and  spend  our  lives  in  la- 
mentations over  the  past,  or  drag  out  a  miserable  existence  in 
contemplating  a  hopeless  future  ? 

We  say  no,  emphatically  no.  We  should,  like  men,  rise  above 
the  difficulties  that  now  impede  our  progress,  and  demonstrate  to 
the  world  that  if  we  cannot  commcmd,  we  can  do  more,  we  can 
deserve  success. 

It  was  with  such  views  and  feelings  that  a  portion  of  the 
friends  of  agriculture,  in  this  town  and  neighborhood,  made  a 
move  to  establish  the  "Border  Agricultural  Society,"  and  the  suc- 
cess of  their  efforts  thus  far,  has  inspired  them  with  fresh  hopes 
for  the  future. 

It  is  now  confidently  expected  that  the  association  will  be  per- 
manently established  amongst  us,  and  that  it  will  be  successful 
in  infusing  new  life  and  energy  into  the  friends  of  agriculture 
throughout  this  entire  section,  so  that  their  influence  shall  be 
felt  by  those  at  a  distance. 

It  is  not  doubted  that  by  means  of  the  social  intercourse  which 

[146] 


will  be  fostered  by  our  meetings,  and  the  spirit  of  commendable 
competition,  which  will  be  encouraged  by  our  proceedings,  this 
honorable  calling  will  be  rendered  more  attractive  to  the  young 
men  of  our  country,  whilst  the  attachment  of  those  already  en- 
gaged in  it  will  be  greatly  strengthened. 

Our  semi-annual  fairs  will  attract  the  best  stock,  and  the  most 
improved  implements  of  all  kinds.  It  is  thus  that  the  latest  in- 
ventions in  the  various  departments  of  the  mechanic  arts  will  be 
brought  to  the  notice  of  our  people,  and  they  will  have  it  in  their 
power  to  supply  themselves  with  the  most  desirable  article,  best 
adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  and  gathering  of  their  crops. 

If  there  are  any  of  our  people  who  entertain  the  delusion  that 
the  lands  of  North  Carolina  or  Virginia  can  be  profitably  culti- 
vated upon  the  old  system,  with  hired  labor,  they  are  destined 
soon  to  wake  up  to  learn  their  error,  when  it  may  be  too  late  to 
retrieve  their  losses.  Let  us,  then,  with  the  least  possible  delay, 
learn  to  adapt  our  customs  and  our  views  to  the  altered  condition 
of  the  country. 

We  feel  assured  that  the  introduction  of  the  improved  imple- 
ments used  in  other  sections  of  the  country,  would  save  twenty- 
five  per  cent,  of  the  labor  now  expended  in  the  cultivation  of  our 
farms. 

To  secure  the  exhibition  of  such  articles  to  the  people  of  this 
section,  is  one  of  the  chief  objects  of  this  organization. 

It  is  expected  that  there  will  also  be  exhibited  at  our  semi- an- 
nual fairs  a  great  many  other  interesting  articles,  such  as  the 
best  horses,  mules,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs,  poultry,  together  with  the 
best  products  of  the  farm,  the  loom  and  the  dairy.  Liberal 
premiums  will  be  offered  for  the  best  articles  in  each  department 
of  enterprise. 

[147] 


In  addition  to  the  benefits  already  indicated,  as  likely  to  accrue 
to  our  people  from  the  operations  of  this  society,  we  hope  to  be 
instrumental  in  supplying  the  growing  deficiency  of  labor,  and 
also  introducing  amongst  us,  intelligent  and  thrifty  purchasers, 
who  will  occupy  and  cultivate,  on  an  improved  plan,  our  surplus 
and  unproductive  lands. 

Having,  fellow  citizens,  thus  given  you  an  outline  of  the  pur- 
pose and  aim  of  our  Society,  we  leave  it  to  you  to  give  or  to  with- 
hold your  co-operation. 

It  can  scarcely  be  necessary  to  say  to  those  of  you  who  live  in 
Danville  and  the  neighboring  country,  that  you  have  never  had  a 
more  favorable  opportunity  offered  you,  to  improve  your  condi- 
tion, than  through  the  success  of  this  organization.  There  is 
not  an  individual  of  your  number  who  is  not  interested;  whilst 
to  the  merchant,  the  manufacturer,  the  mechanic  and  the  owner 
of  property,  it  will,  if  properly  encouraged  aud  wisely  managed, 
be  a  source  of  no  inconsiderable  profit.  We  therefore  confidently 
expect  your  hearty  co-operation  and  support.  The  success  of  the 
Fair  this  fall  will  much  depend  upon  the  response  which  you 
shall  give  to  a  committee  who  will  call  on  you  in  a  short  time, 
for  your  contributions  to  that  object. 

In  conclusion,  fellow  citizens  of  the  border  counties  of  the  two 
States,  we  earnestly  invite  you  not  only  to  become  members  of 
the  "Border  Agricultural  ^Society"  but  to  come  to  our  semi-an- 
nual Fairs,  and  to  bring  with  you  your  best  specimens  of  stock, 
implements,  farm,  loom,  and  dairy  products.  For  these  last,  we 
confidently  rely  on  the  acknowledged  skill  and  enterprise  of  the 
ladies  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  who  have  never  been 
known  to  withhold  their  hand  from  any  good  work, 

[148]  .  • 


WILLIAM  THOMAS  SUTHERLIN. 


[duval  porter.] 


He  is  gone  I    Tli  imposing  presence  no  more 
Shall  move  among  us  :  The  giant  mind, 
That  could  the  future  as  the  past  explore, 
Must  live  forever:    Death  has  no  poAver  to  bind 
The  immortal  part  :    Upon  a  brighter  shore 
'Tis  kindled  afresh  to  shine  forever  more. 

His  vision  was  prophetic,  he  foresaw 
The  coming  event  ere  the  shadow  came  ; 
Seem'd  to  know  by  instinct  tli'  inexorable  law 
That  would  fulfil  itself  and  put  to  shame 
The  idle  fancies  of  all  who  prophesied, 
Or  merely  guessed,  but  his  were  justified. 

His  city  mourns  the  loss  of  such  a  son, 
The  most  illustrious  in  her  annals  found  ; 
The  triumphs  he  has  for  her  commerce  won 
Shall  speak  for  him,  though  silent  in  the  ground 
In  trumpet  tongues  throughout  the  coming  years 
Will  Danville  claim  this  mighty  son  of  hers. 

He  was  the  poor  man's  friend,  who  better  knows 
That  this  is  true  than  he  to  whom  was  given 
The  boon  to  know  him  well.    He  did  disclose 
A  heart  of  tenderness  to  such  as  driven 
By  cruel  fate  their  miseries  to  plead, 
And  find  in  him  a  friend  in  all  their  need. 

Alas  !  !    No  more  shall  trusting  friend  invite 
The  counsel  wise  he  was  so  free  to  give, 
No  more  the  fond  wife  in  whom  he  did  delight, 
Nor  lovely  grand-child  for  whom  he  seemed  to  li\ 
Hear  his  voice  again  until  they  meet  once  more 
Beyond  the  veil  upon  that  blissful  shore. 


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